Addiction Risk Shows up in Children’s Brain Scans before Drug Use Starts
Massive Study Flips Our Story of Addiction and the Brain Brain differences in children and teens who experiment with drugs early show up before they take their first puff or sip By Maia Szalavitz edited by Allison Parshall For decades, Americans have been told a simple story about addiction: taking drugs damages the brain—and the […]
Can Life Survive the Death of the Sun?
The UniverseFridays When the Sun Becomes a Red Giant, Will Any Planet Be Safe? The future is bright—too bright—for life as we know it once the sun transforms into a red giant star By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings An artist’s impression of the far-future sun, swollen to become a red giant star, as […]
Proof That Adult Brains Make New Neurons Settles Scientific Controversy
Proof That Adult Brains Make New Neurons Settles Scientific Controversy Adult brains grow new neurons, and scientists have finally pinpointed where they come from By Nora Bradford edited by Allison Parshall Neural precursor cells (green) are have been difficult to identify in human brians. Join Our Community of Science Lovers! For at least six decades, […]
Astronomers Found the Most Self-Destructive Planet in the Sky
Astronomers Found the Most Self-Destructive Planet in the Sky This planet triggers flares on its star—spelling its ultimate doom By Jacek Krywko edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier In this artist’s impression, the planet HIP 67522 b sends a wave of energy along magnetic field lines toward the surface of its host star—triggering a massive flare […]
In effort to protect children, France bans smoking at parks and beaches
Eleanor Beardsley PARIS — A restrictive outdoor smoking ban has come into force in France, a country where café culture, which often includes a glass of wine and a cigarette, is a way of life. As of Sunday, smokers are no longer allowed to light up in public parks, at swimming pools, or at beaches, […]
India and Pakistan accuse each other of ‘violations’ after ceasefire deal
India and Pakistan have accused each other of “violations” hours after the two nations said they had agreed to a ceasefire following days of cross-border military strikes. After sounds of explosions were heard in Indian-administered Kashmir, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said there had been “repeated violations of the understanding we arrived at”. A short…
India and Pakistan accuse each other of violating ceasefire hours after reaching deal
By The Associated Press ISLAMABAD — India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire Saturday after U.S.-led talks to end the most serious military confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades but accused each other of violating the deal just hours later. The ceasefire had been expected to bring a swift end to weeks of escalating…
Love Island U.K.’s Molly-Mae Says She and Tommy Fury Are Back Together
Love Island U.K.‘s Molly-Mae Hague revealed she and Tommy Fury, father of their daughter Bambi, have reconciled less than a year after announcing they had split. Love Island U.K.‘s Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury are giving their love another chance. Almost nine months after she announced on social media that the two had broken up…
Mexico sues Google over changing Gulf of Mexico’s name for US users
President Claudia Sheinbaum says lawsuit has been filed after US lawmakers voted on name change Mexico has sued Google for changing the Gulf of Mexico’s name to “Gulf of America” for Google Maps users in the United States, Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, said on Friday. “The lawsuit has already been filed,” Sheinbaum said at her…
Clergy molestation survivors concerned and insulted by election of Pope Leo XIV
Pope faced questions about his handling of clerical sexual abuse cases earlier in his career after a survivors group filed a complaint Groups supporting clergy-molestation survivors say they are gravely concerned and insulted by the election of Pope Leo XIV after he overcame questions about his handling of clerical sexual abuse cases earlier in his…
Labour to unveil big immigration plans next week – but will they win back votes?
“A failed free market experiment” – that’s how the home secretary will describe the approach that’s seen vast numbers of people from around the world come to the UK to pour pints in pubs, to cut hair, to care for the most vulnerable, to pick fruit, or to fix our plumbing. Yvette Cooper’s getting ready…
Do We Really Know Less about the Deep Sea Than the Moon or Mars?
We’ve Only Seen 0.001 Percent of Earth’s Seafloor. Here’s What That Really Means A new review of ocean data suggests that more than 99.999 percent of the global deep seafloor has never been seen by humans. But what does that really mean? By Gayoung Lee edited by Lee Billings What do we really know about…
Ukraine’s allies push for 30-day ceasefire starting Monday
Joanna Kakissis KYIV – Four European leaders joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv today in pressing Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire – or face more sanctions on Russia. “The ceasefire must be comprehensive: in the air, at sea and on land,” Zelenskyy told reporters. “It is quite possible to…
Miley Cyrus’ Dating History: Patrick Schwarzenegger, Nick Jonas & More
Miley Cyrus crossing paths with ex Patrick Schwarzenegger at the 2025 Met Gala was a reminder that she’s packed a lot of love into her life—with boyfriends, girlfriends and her own independence. Miley Cyrus has packed a lot of life into her 32 years. She’s spent some of it single, her comfort being on her…
Stronger Solar Activity Cycles May Be in the Sun’s Forecast
The Sun May Be Entering an Era of Stronger 11-Year Cycles The sun has produced stunning auroras on Earth in recent years as solar activity has peaked—but expect more in coming years By Meghan Bartels edited by Dean Visser Massive solar flares, graceful eruptions of solar material, and an enormous sunspot make up some of…
Inside Sasha Obama’s Private Post-White House World
Sasha Obama and Malia Obama moved into the White House as kids—more than 16 years ago. Now they’re making their way as adults while their parents continue to settle into that post-presidential life. Sasha Obama was 7 years old when she moved into the White House. So no wonder the Internet is still prone to…
Police investigate alleged attack on prison officer by Southport killer
Police are investigating an attack on a prison officer by Southport killer Axel Rudakubana on Thursday, it is understood. The officer had boiling water thrown over them. They were taken to hospital and discharged on the same day, the Ministry of Justice said. The Prison Service said violence in prison “will not be tolerated and…
Are we heading for another world war – or has it already started?
The rules-based world order is in retreat and violence is on the rise, forcing countries to rethink their relationships In a week in which former allies in a redividing globe separately commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war, the sense of a runaway descent towards a third world war draws…
Why some friendships end after kids come into the picture
By Emily Siner After writer Mariah Maddox gave birth four years ago, she was surprised by how lonely she felt. She was the first person among her close friends to have a kid, and her friends without children seemed to be leaving her behind. “I sometimes felt like I wasn’t included in plans,” she says.…
Immigrants set for Libya deportation sat on tarmac for hours, attorney says
Any Trump administration efforts to send non-Libyans to the north African country would violate a prior court order Immigrants in Texas who were told they would be deported to Libya sat on a military airfield tarmac for hours on Wednesday, unsure of what would happen next, an attorney for one of the men has said.…
Miley Cyrus Reunites With Dad Billy Ray Cyrus Amid Rumored Family Feud
Miley Cyrus shut down recent feud rumors by joining her brother Braison Cyrus and dad Billy Ray Cyrus on his farm in Tennessee for a birthday celebration. Miley Cyrus doesn’t seem to be jaded. The “Party in the U.S.A.” singer recently reunited with her dad Billy Ray Cyrus for her brother Braison Cyrus’ 31st birthday,…
VA says its job cuts will limit doctor, nurse resignations
By Katya Mendoza , Quil Lawrence Data that employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs have shared with NPR shows that 11,273 agency employees nationwide have applied for deferred resignation, which the Trump administration is offering as part of its DOGE initiative to cut the VA’s workforce by 15%. The top positions across all networks…
How will Pope Leo lead? His first days may yield clues
Not long after greeting crowds from the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square on Thursday evening, Pope Leo XIV returned to the Sant’Uffizio Palace, where he had been living for the last two months. He was met by a jubilant group of staff and former colleagues, all eager to shake his hand and congratulate him. A…
Climate Change Will Cause a Lifetime of Extreme Heat for Today’s Children
Today’s Children Face a Lifetime of Extreme Heat because of Climate Change Young people today will be exposed to a number of heat waves that no one would have experienced before the burning of fossil fuels started raising global temperatures By Celeste Biever & Nature magazine Many of today’s children will experience an ‘unprecedented life’…
Cities aiming to thwart immigrant detention centers wield a secret weapon: local laws
By Zane Irwin Former corrections officer William Rogers still remembers the exact spot in 2018 where an inmate slashed his head open with a metal lunch tray. “When he hit me in the back of the head, I mean it hurt. But I didn’t know it was split open, right? Because at that point you’re…
The Best Early Memorial Day Sales 2025: Amazon, Michael Kors & More
Shop early Memorial Day deals from Pottery Barn, Old Navy, Target, and Walmart—major savings on home upgrades, summer outfits, and everyday essentials before the rush begins. Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Learn more. Don’t wait for the long weekend—early…
Large Hadron Collider Physicists Turn Lead into Gold—For a Fraction of a Second
Physicists Turn Lead into Gold—For a Fraction of a Second Scientists at Europe’s famous particle collider briefly created gold ions from lead in a modern twist on the alchemical goal By Elizabeth Gibney & Nature magazine LHC experiments don’t create large gold nuggets — but some particles within a beam of lead ions can turn…
US confirms plan for private firms to deliver Gaza aid despite UN alarm
The US has confirmed that a new system for providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza through private companies is being prepared, as Israel’s blockade continues for a third month. US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said “distribution centres” protected by security contractors would provide food and other supplies to over a million people initially,…
Simon Mann, mercenary behind failed ‘wonga coup’, dies aged 72
Former SAS officer led a group of 70 who attempted to overthrow Equatorial Guinea’s president Simon Mann, an Eton and Sandhurst-educated ex-SAS officer, who led a botched coup involving Margaret Thatcher’s son to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea, has died aged 72. Mann led a group of 70 fellow mercenaries who were arrested in…
Pair guilty of cutting down Sycamore Gap tree
Two men have been found guilty of the “mindless destruction” of the world famous Sycamore Gap tree, the felling of which sparked international outrage. The tree had grown in a dip on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland for more than 100 years before it was cut down in a “moronic mission” in the early hours of…
Harry Styles Makes Divine Appearance at Pope Leo XIV’s Election
Harry Styles was among the many spectators that gathered in Vatican City to watch Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, assume his new role as leader of the Catholic Church. Harry Styles has been praying ever since New York the Vatican. Among the thousands of spectators who gathered in Vatican City to watch…
Trump Aims to Cut Hospital Disaster Preparedness Program
Trump Aims to Cuts Program Used to Help Hospitals Evacuate During Disasters The Hospital Preparedness Program helps hospitals and emergency managers save lives in wildfires, tornadoes, pandemics and other mass-casualty events. The Trump administration has proposed cutting it By Ariel Wittenberg & E&E News The damaged interior of Monette Manor nursing home on Dec. 12,…
Canadian police scale back search for two children missing in woods for six days
Officials say the likelihood Lily and Jack Sullivan are still alive after disappearing in Nova Scotia on 2 May is ‘very low’ Nearly a week after two young children went missing in rural Nova Scotia, Canadian police say they are beginning to scale back search efforts given the “low” odds the children are still alive…
David Steiner of FedEx is tapped to be the U.S. Postal Service’s new leader
Hansi Lo Wang David Steiner will lead the U.S. Postal Service as the next postmaster general, as the federal mail agency faces an uncertain future under the Trump administration. Amber McReynolds, chair of the USPS Board of Governors, announced the board’s appointment at an open session of a board meeting Friday. She said Steiner is…
FEMA leader is out, amid questions over future of the agency
By Lauren Sommer , Rebecca Hersher The acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cameron Hamilton, has been replaced, according to a statement from the agency. The move comes at a time of turmoil for FEMA, after President Trump has said repeatedly that the country’s primary disaster response agency should be eliminated. Just a…
A gaping hole and a double take: How park ranger alerted world to Sycamore Gap tree’s fate
The deliberate felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland angered people around the world. For the man who was first on the scene, it was a moment that changed his life forever. Park ranger Gary Pickles was in shock. Where once had stood arguably England’s favourite tree, there was now…
Congress Counters Trump Threat to Abolish FEMA with Massive Restructuring Plan
Congress Counters Trump with Massive FEMA Restructuring Plan A bipartisan group in Congress is drafting a sweeping bill to overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency—in some cases, expanding its work By Thomas Frank & E&E News A member of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team searches the ruins of one of the thousands of…
Shia LaBeouf Details Feud With Alec Baldwin Due to His “Weak Ego”
Transformers alum Shia LaBeouf reflected on a 2013 feud with 30 Rock’s Alec Baldwin while the pair worked on a play together after Oscar winner Al Pacino dropped out. Shia LaBeouf is remembering a time when he was filled with fury. The Transformers alum recently reflected on a challenging experience he had with Alec Baldwin,…
Canada medical mystery takes twist as study finds no evidence of brain illness
Researchers link suspected cases in New Brunswick to known diseases, suggesting ‘misdiagnosis and misinformation’ A new peer-reviewed scientific study has found no evidence of a mystery brain disease in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, suggesting instead a troubling combination of “misdiagnosis and misinformation”. The research comes as the Maritime province prepares its own assessment…
Flirting Lessons Author Jasmine Guillory’s Favorite Rom-Com Tropes
Jasmine Guillory, author of Flirting Lessons and The Wedding Date, detailed her writing process and favorite character tropes in an exclusive E! News interview. From slow burns to love triangles and everything in between, author Jasmine Guillory is certainly no stranger to romance tropes. She’s even been known to create some of her own. Indeed,…
What to Know about Kosmos-482, the Soviet Spacecraft Crash-Landing on Earth
This Soviet Spacecraft Will Soon Crash-Land on Earth Kosmos-482, a failed mission to Venus from the former Soviet Union that stalled in Earth orbit in the 1970s, is about to fall back to our planet. Exactly where or when it will strike, however, remains unknown By Lee Billings edited by Dean Visser An artist’s concept…
Continuity the key for Pope seen as unifier in the Church
The fact that the conclave was over quickly suggests that from the outset, a significant number of the voting cardinals felt Robert Prevost was the one amongst them best equipped to take on the challenges a pope faces. In the lead up to the election – during the formal meetings of cardinals, and the informal…
Trump administration invokes state secrets privilege in Kilmar Ábrego García case
Lawyers say they’re ‘still in dark’ about government’s efforts to free the man who was wrongly deported to El Salvador The Trump administration is invoking the “state secrets privilege ” in an apparent attempt to avoid answering a judge’s questions about its erroneous deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García to El Salvador. US district judge Paula…
First Afrikaners granted refugee status due to arrive in U.S.
By Kate Bartlett JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The U.S. government has officially granted 54 Afrikaans South Africans, white descendants of mainly Dutch colonizers, refugee status and they are expected to land in the U.S. on Monday May 12, three sources with knowledge of the matter have told NPR. The sources did not want to be…
HIV Testing and Prevention Efforts Gutted as Trump Funding Cuts Sweep U.S. South
HIV Testing and Prevention Efforts Gutted as Trump Funding Cuts Sweep U.S. South A disruption in federal funds has jeopardized HIV testing and outreach in the U.S. South, and researchers warn of a resurgence of the epidemic in the region By Amy Maxmen & KFF Health News JACKSON, Miss. — Storm clouds hung low above…
ACM Awards 2025 Winners: Complete List
Going into the 2025 ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, Ella Langley led the pack of nominations with seven nods, while Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and Cody Johnson followed behind with six each. Can we get a “yee-haw” for these ACM Award winners? The 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards brought the best and brightest…
India and Pakistan trade attacks amid risk of war between nuclear states
By Bilal Kuchay , Diaa Hadid Pakistan’s army said it shot down 25 military drones that fanned over population centers — including the city that houses Pakistan’s general army headquarters. By Thursday evening, residents in Indian border towns reported hearing blasts. Authorities announced blackouts along parts of the border, and the Secretary of State Marco…
‘The pope is Peruvian’: elation in country where pontiff served as bishop
Leo XIV celebrated as second Latin American pope having spent many years in Peru’s church The election of Pope Leo XIV has been celebrated across Latin America, where many hailed him as the second pontiff from the region, following his Argentinian predecessor, Francis. The news prompted particular elation in Peru, where he lived and worked…
Constance Marten cross-examined by partner Mark Gordon over baby death
Gordon, who is not legally trained, led the questioning after a judge allowed it. He is now representing himself in the case and is not using barristers. The couple stand accused of manslaughter by gross negligence over the death of their child, Victoria, whose body was found in a Brighton shed in March 2023. They…
Americans are already seeing Trump’s tariffs kick in. They sent in receipts to prove it
Emily Feng Lots of new tariffs have already gone into effect and more are about to come online. There is the tax on auto parts that kicked in this month; duties on steel and aluminum; new levies on small value packages; 10% on most imports; a flat 145% customs fee on anything from China; and potentially even…
Scorpions ‘taking over’ Brazilian cities with reported stings rising 155%
Fast and unplanned growth of cities providing ideal conditions for the creatures to thrive, say researchers Scorpions are “taking over” Brazilian cities, researchers have warned in a paper that said rapid urbanisation and climate breakdown were driving an increase in the number of people being stung. More than 1.1m stings were reported between 2014 and…
Political Attacks on Libraries Endanger Small-Town Democracy
Opinion Political Attacks on Libraries Endanger Small-Town Democracy By Laura Backstrom They once looked forward to bumping into neighbors at the grocery store, catching up with former teachers or sharing a friendly wave. Now, for some people in small towns, those familiar faces trigger avoidance, even dread. After seeing a community pillar post “horrible things”…
Jesse Williams Accuses Ex Aryn Drake-Lee of Violating Custody Order
Jesse Williams—who was granted full custody of his and Aryne Drake-Lee’s kids healthcare—requested to obtain “treatment” without notifying his ex-wife after accusing her of violating a court order. Jesse Williams is continuing his legal battle with his ex-wife Aryn Drake-Lee. Nearly two months after the Grey’s Anatomy alum was awarded sole custody of their 11-year-old…
How Pregnant Olivia Culpo Became Christian McCaffrey’s Best Teammate
Pregnant Olivia Culpo and NFL running back Christian McCaffrey are officially end game. But in order for the newlyweds to kick off their romance, her friends had to throw a bit of a Hail Mary pass. Sometimes Olivia Culpo quite literally wears her heart on her sleeve. Such is the case whenever the onetime Miss…
IVF Treatment Faces Threats from ‘Fetal Personhood’ Laws That Would Grant Fetuses Legal Rights
The Push to Grant Fetuses and Embryos Legal Rights Is Threatening IVF Treatment In the new book Personhood, historian and law professor Mary Ziegler explores how the push to grant embryos and fetuses full legal rights is reshaping U.S. reproductive health care, research and policy By Lucy Tu edited by Lauren J. Young President Donald…
Trump’s aid cuts blamed as food rations stopped for a million refugees in Uganda
UN World Food Programme says $50m is urgently needed amid fears that Uganda may now begin forced repatriations Food rations for a million people in Uganda have been cut off completely this week amid a funding crisis at the United Nations World Food Programme, raising fears that refugees will now be pushed back into countries…
Second day of conclave begins to elect the next pope
By Daniel Burke , Sarah Ventre VATICAN CITY — The second day of the conclave to elect a new pope began on Thursday, as 133 Catholic cardinals are re-entering the Sistine Chapel, where the secret balloting is held. Wednesday, the first day of the conclave, ended with black smoke streaming from the chimney of the…
Henry Zeffman: Trump deal is a significant achievement for Starmer
The UK has been desperate for a deal of this sort with the US since President Donald Trump unleashed his wave of global tariffs. So have other countries. But it seems the UK has got there first – a significant achievement by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his government. Those close to the talks…
Brazil rejects US request to designate two gangs as terrorist organizations
Security minister says US delegation wanted classification for PCC and Comando Vermelho to aid immigration policy The Brazilian government has rejected a request by the US state department to designate two major criminal gangs as terrorist organizations, according to Mario Sarrubo, Brazil’s national secretary of public security. Sarrubo said the request was made on Tuesday…
Interest rates expected to be cut by Bank of England
Interest rates are widely expected to be cut on Thursday, with further falls predicted for later in the year. Analysts say a cut to 4.25% from 4.5% by the Bank of England is highly likely, although no change or a bigger reduction remain possibilities. Such a move would make borrowing money by businesses and individuals…
Xanthorox AI Lets Anyone Become a Cybercriminal
A new AI platform called Xanthorox markets itself as a tool for cybercrime, but its real danger may lie in how easily such systems can be built—and sold—by anyone By Deni Ellis Béchard edited by Dean Visser This article includes a reference to violent sexual assault. Reports of a sophisticated new artificial intelligence platform started…
Boardwalk Empire’s Michael Pitt Arrested on Sex Abuse Charges
Michael Pitt—who starred on Dawson’s Creek and HBO’s Boardwalk Empire—was arrested in New York on May 2 and is now facing several charges of sex abuse and assault. Michael Pitt is facing legal trouble. The Boardwalk Empire alum was taken into custody in Brooklyn, N.Y., on May 2 after being accused of sexual abuse and assault,…
USDA chief says agency is trying to fill key jobs after paying 15,000 to leave
Andrea Hsu In testimony on Capitol Hill on Tuesday and Wednesday, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins confirmed that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is now looking to fill critical positions, after agreeing to pay more than 15,000 employees’ salaries and benefits through September in exchange for their resignations. “We are actively looking and recruiting to…
Stronger Flood-Related Building Codes Are Coming for New Hospitals, Schools and Apartments
Stronger Flood Protection Standards Are Coming for New Hospitals, Schools and Apartments The International Code Council has approved stronger building codes to protect hospitals, schools and other structures from flooding By Thomas Frank & E&E News The Barker Reservoir and Buffalo Bayou Dam are shown August 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The city of Houston…
Men accused of Sycamore Gap tree felling thought it was a bit of a laugh, jury told
Two men chopped down the world famous Sycamore Gap tree as a “bit of a laugh” and then feared becoming public enemy number one, prosecutors have told jurors. The tree had grown in a dip on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland for more than 100 years before it was felled in a “moronic mission” in the…