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 […]
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 […]
Off Mexico’s coast, divers nab biggest ‘ghost’ yet
In a grueling and delicate dance, a team led by Conservation International removes a massive undersea killer When Edgardo Ochoa woke up in the early hours of August 20, he had a good feeling. The palm trees outside his window were still, signaling a calm day ahead. For two days, Ochoa, a dive specialist at…
Rightwing ‘parents’ rights’ groups gain ground in Canada as Alberta book bans target LGBTQ+ titles
Two such groups claim they persuaded Alberta to institute sweeping public school book ban Socially conservative “parents’ rights” groups that have emerged as powerfully political lobbying groups in the US are quickly gaining ground in Canada, academics and free speech advocates say, after two such groups claimed they had persuaded Alberta to institute a sweeping…
Gaza City evacuation inevitable, Israeli army warns Palestinians
The Israeli military has told Palestinians that the evacuation of Gaza City is “inevitable”, as its forces prepare to conquer it. In a post on X on Wednesday, the military’s Arabic spokesman Avichay Adraee said families relocating to the south would “receive the most generous humanitarian aid”. Israeli tanks pushed into a new area of…
See the RHOC Cast Squirm While Taking a Lie Detector Test
The Real Housewives of Orange County cast sat down for an anxiety-inducing polygraph test to uncover liars in the friend group, as seen in E! News’ exclusive sneak peek at the Bravo series. The truth is about to come out. The Real Housewives of Orange County all sit down for a nerve-wracking polygraph test in…
Old master painting looted by Nazis disappears from home in Argentina
Search for artwork seen in estate agent’s photo continues after police raid on house finds tapestry hanging in its place Argentinian police have said they will continue hunting for an old master painting looted by the Nazis and spotted by chance in an estate agent’s listing after a search of the property in the seaside…
Global Birth Rates Are Falling, but the Answer Isn’t to Have More Babies
What Falling Global Birth Rates Really Mean for the Future Steep population declines in most countries are expected to have negative effects over the next several generations, but adaptation is possible By Lynne Peeples & Nature magazine Nakayokawa Elementary School, closed three years ago, is seen in the remote village of Yokawa on February 29,…
Whatever happened to our sibling series? It’s back! And guess who’s the heir apparent
By Benazir Samad Our series “The Science of Siblings” last year was immensely popular, tackling questions that many a sibling has pondered. How do you get siblings to be nicer to each other? Why is it that siblings may have weird traits in common? How do siblings remember — and make peace with — childhood…
These Mary Poppins Secrets Are Sweeter Than a Spoonful of Sugar
In honor of Mary Poppins‘ 61st anniversary, enjoy these supercalifragilisticexpialidocious facts about Walt Disney’s 1964 classic starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Are you ready for a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious trip down memory lane? Because even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious, Mary Poppins is marking its 61st anniversary Aug. 27. (Though, sorry,…
How Many Planets Orbit Our Nearest Neighboring Star?
New Instrument Checks on Proxima Centauri’s Planets Fresh results from near-infrared instruments foretell a bright future for finding life elsewhere in the Milky Way By Ivan Farkas edited by Lee Billings An artist’s impression of the Proxima Centauri system, with the planets Proxima b and Proxima d—the latter confirmed by the NIRPS planet-hunting instrument. Some…
Mum’s anger after funeral director keeps baby’s body at home
Warning: This article contains distressing content A funeral director has been banned from NHS maternity wards and mortuaries in Leeds after keeping babies’ bodies at her home, a BBC investigation has revealed. Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust said it had barred 38-year-old Amie Upton from its mortuaries and maternity wards in spring this year. One mother…
Flag burning has a long history in the U.S. — and legal protections from the Supreme Court
By Joe Hernandez President Trump has long opposed flag burning as a form of protest, and now he’s directing the Justice Department to prioritize prosecutions of people who set the American flag on fire. On Monday, Trump signed an executive order instructing the attorney general to pursue cases against people who “incite violence or otherwise…
Attempt to partner African countries with Japanese cities triggers xenophobic backlash
Cities in Japan have received thousands of complaints amid confusion over scheme that was intended to foster closer ties An attempt to promote friendship between Japan and countries in Africa has transformed into a xenophobic row about migration after inaccurate media reports suggested the scheme would lead to a “flood of immigrants”. The controversy erupted…
Brazil judge orders round-the-clock surveillance of ‘flight risk’ Bolsonaro
Pre-trial monitoring ordered after police reported former president had drafted request for asylum in Argentina Jair Bolsonaro must be under constant police surveillance, a supreme court justice has ruled, to prevent Brazil’s former president from fleeing days before the start of the trial that could see him jailed for more than 40 years. The far-right…
Energy prices expected to rise ahead of winter
Energy prices will be set for millions of households for this autumn and winter, when regulator Ofgem announces its latest price cap later. Analysts expect a slight rise in gas and electricity prices between October and December, despite having previously predicted a small fall. A price rise of about 1% a year is likely, which…
Starship’s 10th flight breaks streak of bad luck
Nell Greenfieldboyce SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket racked up some much-needed successes on its 10th test flight, hitting key test objectives and breaking a streak of failures that bedeviled the spaceship this year. The silver and black two-stage rocket, which stands about 400 feet tall, blasted off from the SpaceX facility in south Texas near Boca…
SpaceX Successfully Launches Starship Spacecraft After String of Mishaps
SpaceX Successfully Launches Starship Spacecraft after String of Mishaps Overcoming three recent failed tries, Elon Musk’s rocket company successfully flew its reusable jumbo booster and upper-stage Starship spacecraft By Dan Vergano edited by Clara Moskowitz An earlier SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy booster are moved to the launch pad at Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.…
What Travis Kelce Was Worried About Before Taylor Swift Proposal
Travis Kelce wanted to make sure Taylor Swift had the best day. So, when it came time to plan his proposal, the Kansas City Chiefs player was worried about the “perfect way” to pop the question—but his dad Ed Kelce and her dad Scott Swift encouraged him to take the plunge. “It was a couple…
How deliverable is Reform’s plan on migration?
Nigel Farage has set out how a Reform government would tackle what he called “uncontrolled illegal migration” – with moves including human rights law changes, and mass deportations. But how deliverable are the plans? Let’s start with the headline figure of how many people the party badges as illegal migrants (the precise definition of this…
Repeated Heat Waves Can Age You as Much as Smoking or Drinking
Repeated Heat Waves Can Age You as Much as Smoking or Drinking A new long-term study suggests that the more heat waves people are exposed to, the more their body’s aging process accelerates By Freda Kreier & Nature magazine An elderly man is seen resting under a tree at Levico lake. With temperatures exceeding 45…
Donna Kelce Seemingly Hinted at Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift Engagement
Donna Kelce appeared to hint that her son Travis Kelce had decided to pop the question and spend forever with Taylor Swift two days before the couple announced their engagement. It looks like Donna Kelce was guilty as sin of almost spilling the beans. Two days before her son Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift announced…
Texas company pleads guilty to 2021 construction worker trench death
By Josh Peck A Texas construction company that was one of scores across the country whose employees have died after trenches they were working in collapsed, reached a plea deal Tuesday with prosecutors. Austin-based D Guerra Construction LLC agreed to plead guilty in connection with the death of Juan José Galvan Batalla, 24, of Bastrop,…
Botswana’s president declares health emergency over supply shortages
Duma Boko announces urgent funding package for medicines to be distributed with military oversight Botswana’s president has declared a public health emergency due to shortages of essential medicines and equipment, as a downturn in the global diamond market and US aid cuts take a toll on the country’s finances. The announcement came after the Ministry…
Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins Expecting Baby No. 5
Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins shared that they are expecting their fifth baby together with the sweetest musical announcement: “Here we go again!” Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins are adding another member to their band. After all, the “Die a Happy Man” singer and his wife announced that they’re expecting their fifth baby together. “Well,…
Reform prepared to deport 600,000 under migration plans
Reform UK has suggested it would be prepared to deport 600,000 migrants over five years if it won power at the next election. Party leader Nigel Farage set out a five-year plan to detain and deport all migrants who arrive in the UK without permission. Under the plan, named Operation Restoring Justice, Reform UK says…
Microplastics Could Be Creating Dangerous Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Microplastics Could Be Turning Bacteria into Drug-Resistant Superbugs Microplastics are seemingly everywhere—and now growing research suggests they could be breeding grounds for drug-resistant bacteria By Marta Zaraska edited by Lauren J. Young For bacteria, microplastics are the perfect meetup spot—tiny, intimate surfaces where microbes can cling, huddle close and swap genes. And these crowded bacterial…
DNC chair says he’s tired of Democrats bringing ‘pencil to a knife fight’
Stephen Fowler MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin says President Trump is a “dictator-in-chief” whose agenda is “fascism dressed in a red tie” and his party must fight back against his policies. “Now look, folks, I’m sick and tired of this Democratic party bringing a pencil to a knife fight,” Martin said.…
Old master painting looted by Nazis spotted in Argentinian property listing
Dutch newspaper AD says it has traced Giuseppe Ghislandi’s Portrait of a Lady to house near Buenos Aires A photo shows the painting, Portrait of a Lady (Contessa Colleoni) by the late-baroque portraitist Giuseppe Ghislandi, also known as Fra’ Galgario, hanging above a sofa in the living room of the property, in a seaside town…
ID lost to Hurricane Katrina is returned 20 years later
By Melanie Peeples Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina decimated the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi, few surprises continue to surface, but Becky Copeland has found one. She is a Wildlife Biologist and Park Ranger for the Gulf Islands National Seashore, a group of barrier islands off the coast of Mississippi and Florida, that are mostly…
RFK, Jr., Demanded Study on Vaccines and Aluminum Be Retracted—The Journal Said No
RFK, Jr., Demanded a Vaccine Study Be Retracted—The Journal Said No In a rare move for a U.S. public official, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., called for a paper that found no link between aluminum in vaccines and disease to be retracted. The journal rejected the request By Rachel Fieldhouse…
Human Case of Flesh-Eating Screwworms Detected In U.S.
Human Case of Flesh-Eating Screwworms Detected In U.S. This gruesome parasite is more of a threat to your burger than to you By Madhusree Mukerjee edited by Dean Visser Screw-worm fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae use their sharp mandibles to dig into and eat away the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Just two months…
First human case of flesh-eating screwworm parasite confirmed in US
HHS told Reuters patient had returned from El Salvador but beef industry said person had traveled from Guatemala The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Sunday reported the first human case in the US of travel-associated New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, from an outbreak-affected country. The case, investigated by the Maryland…
Attendees could be in for thunderstorms, dust and hail at this year’s Burning Man
By Ayana Archie People descending on the Nevada desert for this year’s Burning Man event are being met with dust and wind, which could continue over the next few days. The event started Sunday in the Black Rock Desert, about 100 miles north of Reno, Nev. It is “not a festival,” but a “global cultural…
Love Island USA Reunion: Huda Addresses Unseen Heart Rate Footage
During the Love Island USA season seven reunion, out on Peacock Aug. 25, Huda Mustafa reacted to her NSFW behavior with Chelley Bissainthe’s man Ace Green during the Heart Rate challenge. The hot seat may have gotten Huda Mustafa‘s heart racing. During the Love Island USA season seven reunion, out on Peacock Aug. 25, viewers got to…
Three dead and one injured as helicopter crashes during flying lesson
Three people have died and one person has been seriously injured after a helicopter being used for a flying lesson “spiralled” to the ground and crashed in a field on the Isle of Wight. Four people were on board the helicopter when it came down beside the A3020 near Shanklin at about 09:20 BST, Hampshire…
Mexican drug lord ‘El Mayo’ pleads guilty to racketeering in New York
Ismael Zambada was co-founder of Sinaloa cartel led by Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, now imprisoned in US The Mexican drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges as well as running a criminal enterprise on Monday, more than a year since he was arrested in Texas…
KJ Apa Shares He Was a Virgin for “First Couple Years” of Riverdale
KJ Apa confessed that he was still a virgin when he first starred on Riverdale and shared that hookups were common among the cast, which included Cole Sprouse, Lili Reinhart and Camila Mendes. It looks like sing-alongs weren’t the only thing the Riverdale cast were getting up to in their small town. KJ Apa—who starred…
Israeli strikes kill 22, including 5 journalists, in a Gaza hospital
By Anas Baba , Aya Batrawy , Willem Marx Editor’s note: This story contains a graphic image. KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Israeli forces killed 22 people, including five journalists, in two consecutive strikes on Gaza’s largest functioning hospital, drawing global condemnation and prompting a rare admission of regret by the Israeli government. The death…
180 Years of Scientific American Means 180-Degree Turns in Science—Here Are Some of the Wildest Ones
Scientific American Celebrates 180 Years with Stories of Scientific U-turns In honor of SciAm’s 180th birthday, we’re spotlighting the biggest “wait, what?” moments in science history. By Rachel Feltman, Jeffery DelViscio & Alex Sugiura Drawings of Mars showing its ‘canals’ and polar ice caps in drawings created from observations made at the Lowell Observatory in…
Drop Everything & Check out Rebecca Serle’s Once and Again Book Cover
Rebecca Serle’s latest novel Once and Again hits shelves March 10, 2026—and E! News can exclusively reveal the book’s cover and first chapter. Once and again, Rebecca Serle is bringing the magic to your TBR list. Nearly two years to the date after releasing Expiration Dates, the best-selling author is back with her last sweeping examination of life and love in Once and…
Hospitality hit by half of all UK job losses since Budget, industry leaders warn
Leaders in the hospitality industry have said that more than half of the UK’s job losses since the last budget have come from their sector. Job losses in restaurants, bars, pubs and hotels total around 89,000 since last October, according to UKHospitality analysis of Office for National Statistics data. The group said higher taxes announced…
The Way People Search the Internet Can Fuel Echo Chambers
How You Search the Internet Can Reinforce Your Beliefs—Without You Realizing It Users’ Internet search questions can strengthen echo chambers, even on factual topics, but there are simple ways to lessen the effect By Simon Makin edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Join Our Community of Science Lovers! People’s views are becoming more and more polarized,…
Is Edinburgh’s Fringe still fringe, or has it — gasp — gone mainstream?
Lauren Frayer EDINBURGH, Scotland — For decades, devotees repeated rumors in hushed reverence about starving artists sleeping in bathtubs, out of dedication to the Fringe — one of the world’s biggest theater and comedy festivals. Now they deride and local residents for cashing in and renting out those mythical bathtubs. Fringe dates back to 1947,…
Dinner or a shower? Elderly people fear tough choices when Australia’s new aged care changes are rolled out
Advocates warn increased costs for basic assistance like showers and wound cleaning will push older people into aged care or hospital Margaret Duckett is scared for her friends. The 77-year-old pensioner is the recipient of a home care package – which allows her to get support with cleaning, gardening, transport, physiotherapy and podiatry – and…
How to Understand Hurricane Forecasts and the Cone of Uncertainty
How to Decode a Hurricane Forecast Hurricane forecasts feature a “cone of uncertainty,” but what is it actually showing? Scientific American breaks it down for you By Andrea Thompson If you’ve ever taken even a cursory glance at a hurricane forecast, you’ve seen some version of the “cone of uncertainty.” It sounds like some other-dimensional…
Crochet, isolation and the prison chaplain: Erin Patterson’s life behind bars detailed in court
Victorian supreme court also hears that mushroom lunch murderer spends 22 hours a day in cell and has had no contact with other inmates Full report: Mushroom lunch survivor forgives Erin Patterson as defence agrees triple murderer deserves life sentence Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Erin Patterson has become…
These Bring It On Secrets Are the Poo, So Take a Big Whiff
Is it cold in here? Because with Bring It On marking its 25th anniversary, there must be some behind-the-scenes secrets from Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union’s cheerleading flick in the atmosphere. They’re sexy, they’re cute and 25 years later, Kirsten Dunst, Gabrielle Union and the rest of the Bring It On cast are still popular…
Virginia Giuffre memoir to be published months after death
A posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who accused the Duke of York and the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein of sexual assault, will be published in October. Ms Giuffre had finished working on the book, titled Nobody’s Girl, before she took her own life in Australia in April, at the age of 41. Publishing house…
South Korean President Lee to meet with Trump in Washington on Monday
Anthony Kuhn SEOUL, South Korea — En route to his first summit with President Trump, South Korea’s president has pushed back against U.S. pressure to refocus his country’s 71-year-old military alliance with the U.S. away from deterring North Korea and toward countering China. “This is not an issue we can easily agree with,” Lee Jae-myung…
Murray Watt advised by own department to declare protection order over part of Burrup peninsula
Exclusive: Environment department document states that part of site is a ‘significant Aboriginal area’ which is ‘under threat of injury or desecration’ Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The environment minister, Murray Watt, has been advised by his department to declare a protection order over part of the Burrup peninsula…
New Treatments for Peanut Allergies Offer Hope—Despite Lingering Questions
The Mystery of America’s Peanut Allergy Surge—And the Promising Science behind New Treatments Peanut allergies more than tripled in U.S. kids between the late 1990s and late 2000s, and the prevalence has risen even more since then. Scientists are still searching for answers—and new ways to treat them. By Rachel Feltman, Jeffery DelViscio, Fonda Mwangi…
Maren Morris Says Fan “Grabbed My Ass” During Meet-and-Greet
Maren Morris claimed that a fan “grabbed my ass” during a meet-and-greet ahead of her Aug. 23 concert in Grand Rapids, Michigan: “Please don’t override someone’s personal space.” Maren Morris is setting boundaries with her fans. Following a recent performance of her Dreamsicle Tour in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the “My Church” singer alleged that a…
Kilmar Abrego Garcia expects to be detained by ICE again, attorney says
By Chandelis Duster , Scott Detrow The attorney for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man wrongfully deported to a notorious El Salvadoran prison and later returned to the U.S., said he expects him to be detained by immigration officials again on Monday. Abrego Garcia, who was released from criminal custody in Tennessee on Friday while…
Inside Donetsk as residents flee attacks on Ukrainian region Putin wants to control
The Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine has long been in Moscow’s sights. Vladimir Putin reportedly says he’ll freeze the war in return for full control of it. Russia already controls 70% of Donetsk and nearly all of neighbouring Luhansk – and is making slow but steady advances. I’m heading to the front-line Donetsk town of…
Coalition’s climate tussles to get public airing as parliament debates Barnaby Joyce’s bill to dump net zero
Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The Coalition’s internal struggle over climate change will be on full display on Monday as the House of Representatives prepares to debate Barnaby Joyce’s private bill to dump Australia’s net zero target. Over the weekend, the Queensland Liberal National party convention voted to abandon…
Bachelorette’s Jillian Harris Marries Justin Pasutto After 13 Years
The Bachelorette alum Jillian Harris tied the knot with Justin Pasutto in an intimate church ceremony followed by a flower-themed wedding surrounded by friends and family two days later. Jillian Harris and Justin Pasutto have officially tied the knot. The Bachelorette alum married the former snowboarder in a church ceremony on Aug. 21 followed by…
It was the costliest hurricane in U.S. history: Have we forgotten Katrina’s lessons?
By Greg Allen , Marisa Peñaloza NEW ORLEANS — On a quiet street in the Gentilly neighborhood, a small brick house stands as a testament to one of the worst disasters in U.S. history. It’s one of thousands of homes that flooded twenty years ago in Hurricane Katrina. It’s been preserved by Levees.org, a group…
How AI Chatbots May Be Fueling Psychotic Episodes
Truth, Romance and the Divine: How AI Chatbots May Fuel Psychotic Thinking A new wave of delusional thinking fueled by artificial intelligence has researchers investigating the dark side of AI companionship By Conor Feehly edited by Allison Parshall You are consulting with an artificial intelligence chatbot to help plan your holiday. Gradually, you provide it…
Kylie Jenner Honors Late Hairstylist Jesus Guerrero in Birthday Tribute
Kylie Jenner honored her late friend and hairstylist Jesus Guerrero with an emotional birthday tribute, six months after his sudden passing at the age of 34. Kylie Jenner will always carry on Jesus Guerrero’s legacy. Six months after her longtime friend and hairstylist died unexpectedly at the age of 34, the Kardashians star celebrated what…
Zelensky vows to continue fighting as Ukraine marks independence day
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would continue to fight for its freedom “while its calls for peace are not heard,” in a defiant address to the nation on its independence day. “We need a just peace, a peace where our future will be decided only by us,” he said, adding that Ukraine was “not a…
New Zealand to spend $3bn upgrading helicopters and ‘embarrassing’ defence planes
Government says country will buy five Seahawk helicopters and two Airbus A321XLR aircraft New Zealand will spend nearly NZ$3bn ($1.7bn) upgrading its ageing defence fleet, including replacing its “embarrassing” planes that have left multiple prime ministers grounded during international travel, the government has announced. The defence minister, Judith Collins, said NZ$2bn would be spent buying…