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 […]
France acknowledges role in repression of Cameroon independence movements
Emmanuel Macron writes to Cameroonian president with findings of joint commission on country’s colonial past France has acknowledged its role in decades of violent repression of independence movements in Cameroon, the latest stage in a slow process of reckoning with its brutal colonial past. In a letter to the Cameroonian president, Paul Biya, dated 30…
European leaders tentatively hopeful after call with Trump ahead of Putin summit
European leaders appeared cautiously optimistic after holding a virtual meeting with Donald Trump on Wednesday, two days before he meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Trump reportedly told the Europeans that his goal for the summit was to obtain a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv. He…
‘Who’s running the show?’ is a key question in ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ challenge
By Greg Allen MIAMI — A lawsuit brought by environmental groups and the Miccosukee tribe challenging construction and operations of an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades wrapped up Wednesday with several key questions unanswered. At the top of the list is one U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams asked several times during the four-day…
Claire’s on brink of collapse putting 2,150 jobs at risk
Fashion accessories chain Claire’s is on the brink of collapse after the retailer said it will appoint administrators in the UK and Ireland, putting 2,150 jobs at risk. The company has 278 shops in the UK and 28 in Ireland but has been struggling with falling sales and fierce competition. Claire’s said all outlets will…
Diana Ross Cancels Appearance Due to “Unforeseen Circumstances”
Diana Ross has canceled a scheduled appearance as Godmother of the Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas due to “unforeseen circumstances.” Diana Ross will no longer be coming out on the Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas showcase cruise. While the beloved singer was scheduled to kick-off the three-day voyage on August 20—having been ordained as the…
These Spiders Puke Up Toxic Digestive Fluid to Marinate Their Prey Alive
These Spiders Puke Up Toxic Digestive Fluid to Marinate Their Prey Alive Without a venomous bite, some spiders use a disturbing second option to prepare their food By Gennaro Tomma edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Join Our Community of Science Lovers! You don’t always need a book or movie for a good horror story. Sometimes,…
In 1985, famine led to Live Aid and a U.S. alert plan. Trump froze it. Now it’s back
By Gabrielle Emanuel In the summer of 1985, images of emaciated children in Ethiopia shocked the world and prompted one of the biggest charity concerts ever: Live Aid. Megastars like Paul McCartney and Lionel Richie, Madonna and Queen took to the stage in London and Philadelphia. Tina Turner and Mick Jagger wowed an audience that…
Air Canada cancels flights during peak travel season ahead of flight attendant strike
Canada’s largest airline expects full shutdown as workers protests over claims of ‘poverty wages’ and unpaid labour Canada’s largest airline has started cancelling flights during the peak summer travel season ahead of a strike by more than 10,000 flight attendants over what they say are “poverty wages” and unpaid labour for work when planes aren’t…
Survival rates for most deadly cancers making little progress, experts warn
The number of people surviving cancer has improved hugely in the past 50 years, but experts warn progress has been uneven with some cancers with the worst survival rates falling further behind. For some, including melanoma skin cancer, 10-year survival is now above 90% in England and Wales, while for all cancers half of patients…
With replay review and ‘robot umps,’ who is still trying to become an MLB umpire?
Becky Sullivan MILWAUKEE — To baseball umpires, timing matters. By the time registration opened at 8 a.m., more than 100 aspiring professional umpires had already arrived at the Milwaukee Brewers ballpark for Major League Baseball’s one-day umpire camp. These camps are, for a lucky few, the first step toward a career as an MLB umpire.…
Trump’s China trade truce extension spurs market rally
Bourses in Australia and Japan hit record highs as hopes grow of trade deal within latest 90-day pause Business live – latest updates George Magus: Why Peak China may finally have arrived Donald Trump’s decision to extend a truce in the trade war with China for another 90 days triggered a stock market rally across…
What Is the Luhn Algorithm? The Math Behind Secure Credit Card Numbers
Find out how this simple algorithm from the 1960s keeps your wallet safe By Jack Murtagh edited by Jeanna Bryner If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.…
Reba McEntire Shares Message on Brandon Blackstock’s “Struggle”
Less than a week after Brandon Blackstock’s death at age 48, Reba McEntire reflected on her stepson’s “struggle” in the years leading up to his passing due to his battle with cancer. Reba McEntire is looking back on Brandon Blackstock‘s final days. The Reba alum reflected on her stepson’s challenging yearslong battle with cancer in…
How Zoë Kravitz & Lisa Bonet Almost Lost Snake in Taylor Swift’s House
Zoë Kravitz shared how she and mom Lisa Bonet almost lost their family snake Orpheus inside Taylor Swift’s Los Angeles home amid the wildfires spreading across the city in early 2025. Snakes and stones never broke Taylor Swift‘s bones. That’s why Zoë Kravitz was mortified when her mom Lisa Bonet‘s snake Orpheus got loose in the…
China’s crackdown on lavish civil servant perks will ‘harm’ the economy, experts warn
Updated regulations ban the country’s 40 million civil servants from lavish banquets, and restrict them from overseas travel for ‘personal leisure’ Adjacent to a municipal government building in Beijing, a normally bustling restaurant is now eerily quiet, at lunchtime most of its seats are empty. The recent crackdown on civil servants frequenting restaurants – part…
Axolotls are on the brink. Can we bring them back?
A project from Conservation International and a Mexican university offers a glimmer of hope for the critically endangered axolotl. An ancient wetland system of islands and canals that pre-dates the Aztecs endures quietly in Mexico City. These wetlands, cradled within North America’s most populous city, are the only place on Earth where you can find…
Police get new guidance on releasing suspects’ ethnicity
Police will be encouraged to disclose the ethnicity and nationality of suspects charged in high-profile and sensitive investigations under new guidance, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) says. It is hoped the change will reduce the risk to public safety where there are high levels of misinformation about an incident or in cases of significant…
Trump official tells census workers Congress has final say over the count, not Trump
Hansi Lo Wang Less than a week after President Trump said he has ordered a “new” census, the cabinet official who oversees the Census Bureau acknowledged Tuesday that Congress, not the president, has final say over the national head count that’s used to reshape election maps and guide federal funding, NPR has exclusively learned. Speaking…
Trump Order Would Give Political Appointees Power over Science Funding Decisions
Trump Order Gives Political Appointees Vast Powers over Research Grants Researchers are alarmed that an expansive executive order issued by President Donald Trump might upend a long-standing tradition of peer-review for grants By Dan Garisto & Nature magazine US President Donald Trump issued an expansive executive order (EO) yesterday that would centralize power and upend…
Why ‘Use Your Words’ Can Be Good for Kids’ Health
The Science of ParentingMondays Why ‘Use Your Words’ Can Be Good for Kids’ Health Studies show that writing or expressing what we are feeling can help adults mentally and physically. Kids are no different By J. David Creswell edited by Megha Satyanarayana Cut through the claims: Get email alerts for The Science of Parenting In…
Cheryl Hines Addresses Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Marriage Turmoil Rumors
Cheryl Hines spoke for the first time about recent speculation surrounding her relationship with husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr., shutting down rumors that they’re experiencing marriage trouble. Cheryl Hines is setting the record straight. The Curb Your Enthusiasm alum shut down rumors that her marriage to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been on the rocks since…
Guatemalan judge finds six people guilty over deaths of 41 girls in 2017 fire
Two officers and four ex-child protection officials found guilty after fire at state shelter that had a history of abuse A Guatemalan judge has found six people guilty over the deaths of 41 girls in a raging 2017 fire at a state shelter for vulnerable youths that had a history of abuse. The sentencing is…
Weather tracker: Europe braces for another heatwave with highs of 44C
Parts of Spain and Portugal likely to bear brunt of heat, while drought conditions sweep North America Europe live – latest updates After a period of cooler weather, swaths of central and eastern Europe face another heatwave as hot air over south-western Europe pushes north-west. Since late July, large parts of the Iberian peninsula have…
Joe Biden’s Daughter Ashley Biden Files for Divorce After 13 Years
Joe Biden’s daughter Ashley Biden filed for divorce from Howard Krein in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on August 11, over 13 years after the pair tied the knot in Greenville. Ashley Biden and Howard Krein are going their separate ways. Joe Biden’s daughter has filed for divorce from the plastic surgeon on August…
The hidden costs of cutting Medicaid
By Emily Crawford With the passage of the big Republican tax and spending bill, the federal government is poised to reduce support for Medicaid and the insurance marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that these cuts could cause 10 million Americans to lose health insurance by 2034. Lawmakers have…
Cosmic Tornado from Star’s Birth Whirls in Dazzling JWST Image
Cosmic Tornado from Star’s Birth Whirls in Dazzling JWST Image This telescope has revealed the whipped-up dust from the birth of a star—and a shining background galaxy—more clearly than ever before By Gayoung Lee edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Join Our Community of Science Lovers! When a star is born, the process leaves behind a…
US woman convicted over failed assassination in UK
A US woman who was hired as a killer and tried to shoot a man in the UK at point-blank range has been found guilty of conspiracy to murder. Would-be assassin Aimee Betro, from West Allis in Wisconsin, flew into the country as part of a plot to attack a British family in Birmingham in…
Eight people killed in barrage of gunfire on Ecuador nightclub
Police found 800 cartridge cases at the scene, where gunmen had arrived in two pickup trucks and opened fire Eight people have been killed and two others wounded when a group of gunmen unleashed a barrage of gunfire on a crowd outside a nightclub in a town in south-western Ecuador. Law enforcement arrived on the…
Ukraine’s borders must not be changed by force, EU leaders say
European leaders have warned against Ukrainian borders being redrawn by force – two days before a US-Russia summit on Ukraine is due to take place in Alaska. In a statement, European leaders said “the people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future.” It added the principles of “territorial integrity” must be respected…
How This AI Breakthrough with Pure Mathematics and Reinforcement Learning Could Help Predict Future Crises
How an Unsolved Math Problem Could Train AI to Predict Crises Years in Advance An artificial intelligence breakthrough uses reinforcement learning to tackle the Andrews-Curtis conjecture, solving long-standing counterexamples and hinting at tools for forecasting stock crashes, diseases and climate disasters By Deni Ellis Béchard edited by Dean Visser & Clara Moskowitz Imagine knowing that…
Taylor Swift Announces New Album on Travis Kelce’s Podcast
Taylor Swift announced her new album The Life of a Showgirl during her first appearance on boyfriend Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast for the Aug. 13 episode. Taylor Swift‘s album announcements will never go out of style. While making her debut on boyfriend Travis Kelce and brother Jason Kelce‘s New Heights podcast…
Alaska was once a full-fledged Russian colony. Now it’s hosting a U.S.-Russia summit
Greg Myre Russia lost a war in Crimea in the 1850s, leaving the country deep in debt. To ease that burden, Russia cut a real estate deal with the U.S. government, selling its colony of Alaska to the Americans. Now, Presidents Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin will hold a summit Friday in Alaska to…
Should You Worry the New Chikungunya Virus Outbreak in China Could Reach the U.S?
How the New Chikungunya Virus Outbreak in China Could Reach the U.S. Experts say the painful infection, spread to people from mosquitoes, can get to many countries if it finds the right hosts By Josh Fischman edited by Dean Visser Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can carry chikungunya virus and infect people with a bite Thousands of…
Migrants swim from Morocco to Ceuta as officials say enclave ‘overwhelmed’
Seven children reach shore as dozens of people intercepted on risky route, which authorities say is now used more often About 100 people, including several children, risked their lives by trying to swim from Morocco into Spain’s north African enclave of Ceuta early on Saturday morning, as the territory’s authorities warned that its overwhelmed reception…
Zelensky could still attend Trump-Putin meeting, but rest of Europe is shut out
It’s the bilateral summit every European leader wants to be at. And for good reason. On Friday, Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Territorial concessions are likely to be discussed, and Europe (not least Ukraine) doesn’t want its borders to be redrawn through force.…
Sheila Jordan, a singular voice in jazz, has died
By Neda Ulaby , Petra Mayer Sheila Jordan. Sheila Jordan, one of the great underappreciated voices in jazz, has died at the age of 96. Her longtime bassist Harvie S told NPR that Jordan died Monday at her apartment in New York City. Despite a career that unfolded in fits and starts due to racial…
Anna Delvey Responds After Her Photoshoot Rabbits Were Dumped in Park
Anna Delvey responded to fans saying she dumped rabbits used in her recent photoshoot in New York’s Prospect Park, explaining that she’d had no knowledge of the plan to release them. Anna Delvey wants to make sure no one hops to any inaccurate conclusions. The fake heiress—who was convicted in 2019 of grand larceny and…
Inside Kylie Jenner’s Lavish Birthday Party With Hailey Bieber & More
Kylie Jenner offered a look into her luxurious 28th birthday party, which included a decadent backyard dinner hosted by her sister Kendall Jenner and pals Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber and Justine Skye Kylie Jenner was able to rise and shine during her special day. The Kardashians star recently offered a look at her lavish yet cozy 28th…
Ford says it will roll out a cheaper electric pickup truck
Camila Domonoske Ford is making a multibillion-dollar bet on electric vehicles. At the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky on Monday morning, Ford executives announced that they plan to retool the factory so they can roll out a midsize pickup truck in the $30,000 range within 18 months. That would be not just cheap for an…
The Perseid Meteor Shower Is Peaking. Here’s How to Watch
How to Watch the Year’s Best Meteor Shower, the Perseids The Perseids are the best annual meteor shower, but this year’s show will be dimmed by a bright gibbous moon By Clara Moskowitz edited by Meghan Bartels Join Our Community of Science Lovers! One of the best annual meteor showers, the Perseid meteor shower, is…
Canada wildfire season already second worst on record as experts warn of ‘new reality’
More than 470 Canadian fires classified as ‘out of control’ as scientists say climate change exacerbating the burning With hundreds of wildfires burning out of control, Canada’s 2025 fire season is already the second-worst on record, as scientists report climate change is prolonging and exacerbating the burning, leading to more destruction, evacuations and smoke-filled skies.…
Trump says he will try to get back territory for Ukraine in talks with Putin
US President Donald Trump has said he will try to get some territory back for Ukraine during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. “Russia’s occupied a big portion of Ukraine. They occupied prime territory. We’re going to try to get some of that territory back for Ukraine,” he told a news conference…
Amber health alerts as heatwave temperatures set to hit 34C
School summer holidays and another heatwave on the way means a busy day in central London and attempts to keep cool Temperatures have been rising and will continue to do so with the fourth heatwave of the summer on the way for some. The UK Health Security Agency, external has issued heat health alerts, for…
Deep-Sea Desalination Pulls Drinking Water from the Depths
Deep-Sea Desalination Pulls Drinking Water from the Depths Companies are experimenting with deep-sea tech to produce cheaper fresh water By Vanessa Bates Ramirez edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier From Cape Town to Tehran to Lima to Phoenix, dozens of cities across the globe have experienced water shortages recently. And in the next five years the…
Judge denies release of Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury transcripts
By Ryan Lucas , Carrie Johnson A federal judge in Manhattan on Monday rejected the Trump administration’s request to release grand jury transcripts from the Justice Department investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell. The department asked the court last month to unseal the grand jury transcripts, which are generally secret,…
Will Taylor Swift Be on Travis Kelce’s Podcast? Easter Eggs Revealed
Taylor Swift fans suspect that the pop superstar’s boyfriend Travis Kelce will help her make an announcement while featuring her on the next episode of his and Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast. Taylor Swift’s new era is loading… Indeed, the pop superstar has fans convinced that her boyfriend Travis Kelce, who she began dating in…
Colombian senator Miguel Uribe dies after June campaign shooting
Rightwing presidential hopeful, who had been in hospital in Bogotá since shooting, has died aged 39 Miguel Uribe, the Colombian senator and presidential hopeful who was shot in the head at a campaign event in June, has died, his wife has confirmed. Uribe, an opposition candidate from the rightwing Centro Democrático party, was shot twice…
Chris Hemsworth’s Marvelous Moments with His Kids Prove He’s Superdad
We assembled all the cutest moments Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have enjoyed with their kids India Rose, 13, and 11-year-old twins Sasha and Tristan. At the center of Chris Hemsworth‘s universe? His family. Who assembled for a special night out earlier this summer at the premiere of his National Geographic docuseries Limitless in London. By Chris’…
Growing pains: can rice production in Africa keep up with demand?
Africa Rice initiative aims to give farmers more control over their land in order to reduce flooding and increase yields Salmata Ouattara remembers 2023 as the turning point for her rice farm. June is usually the peak of the rainy season in Ivory Coast, but in the preceding years she and other farmers in M’Be…
Vibrio pectenicida Identified as Cause of Sea Star Wasting Disease Affecting Billions
Mysterious Illness Decimating Sea Stars Finally Identified A devastating bacterium has decimated populations of sunflower sea stars, predators that play a crucial role in their environment By Andrea Tamayo edited by Andrea Gawrylewski A giant sunflower star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) walks across the reef underwater in Point Dume State Beach, California. Join Our Community of Science…
Bowen: Israeli settlers intensify campaign to drive out West Bank Palestinians
Meir Simcha agreed to talk, but he wanted to do it somewhere special, because for him, this is a special time. In a place where nation, religion and war are linked inextricably with politics and the possession of land, Simcha chose a patch of shade under a fig tree next to a spring of fresh…
Trump’s tariff revenue has skyrocketed. But how big is it, really?
Danielle Kurtzleben Trump has long sold his tariff plan as a new source of cash for the government. And with his recent moves, tariffs are adding tens of billions of new dollars to federal revenue. Last month, the Department of the Treasury brought in more than $29 billion in “customs and excise taxes” — a…
Bird Flu Could Be Spreading through the Air on Dairy Farms, Preliminary Study Shows
Bird Flu on Dairy Farms May Be Airborne After All Infectious bird flu virus was found in milk, on equipment, within wastewater and aerosolized in the air on California dairy farms By Stephanie Pappas edited by Jeanna Bryner H5N1 bird flu is spreading across dairy farms in the U.S. The H5N1 avian influenza virus can…
Over-70s face driving ban for failing eye tests
The two countries’ drink-driving limit is also set to be tightened to be in line with Scotland’s, with penalty points to be introduced for passengers not wearing a seatbelt. The changes are expected to be included in a new road safety strategy set to be published by the government in the autumn, with ministers believing…
Federal agents spread out across D.C. streets amid Trump vow to crackdown on crime
Brian Mann WASHINGTON — Scores of federal agents fanned out across Washington D.C. on Sunday night, after President Donald Trump promised a swift crackdown on crime and homelessness in the nation’s capital. “The homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social. “We will give you places to stay,…
Nagasaki’s twin bells ring in unison for first time in 80 years to mark atomic bombing
Mayor of Japanese city used the anniversary of US bombing to urge the world to stop armed conflicts, warning nuclear war was ‘looming’ over everyone Twin cathedral bells rang in unison in Nagasaki for the first time in 80 years on Saturday, commemorating the moment the city was destroyed by an American atomic bomb. The…
Sophie Turner Responds to Critics Claiming She Forgot About Her Kids
Sophie Turner clapped back at a social media user who accused the Game of Thrones actress of having “forgotten” about her and ex-husband Joe Jonas’ daughters Willa, 4, and Delphine, 2. Sophie Turner is not letting anyone tell her she’s a bad mom. After the Game of Thrones alum—who shares daughters Willa, 4, and Delphine,…
How to Detect Consciousness in People, Animals and Maybe Even AI
How to Detect Consciousness in People, Animals and Maybe Even AI Insights from human brains could inform how scientists search for awareness in all its possible forms By Mariana Lenharo & Nature magazine In late 2005, five months after a car accident, a 23-year-old woman lay unresponsive in a hospital bed. She had a severe…
Netanyahu defends Gaza plans as Israel heavily criticised at UN Security Council
UN ambassadors have condemned Israel’s plans to “take control” of Gaza City as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted it was the “best way” to end the war. During a press conference, which Netanyahu said was intended to “puncture the lies”, the Israeli leader said the planned offensive would move “fairly quickly” and would “free Gaza…
European leaders urge for Ukraine to be included in Trump-Putin Alaska peace talks
By Chandelis Duster As President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare to meet in Alaska later this week, European leaders have stressed that Ukraine must be included in any talks with Russia over ending the war in Ukraine. Leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, U.K.…