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 […]
Trinidad and Tobago declares second state of emergency, citing gang threat
Police commissioner says there has been intelligence of formation of organised crime syndicate intent on havoc Trinidad and Tobago has declared its second state of emergency this year amid “grave concerns” about a coordinated threat from organised crime gangs inside and outside the country’s prisons. Announcing the decision on Friday, the commissioner of police, Allister…
Dozens killed by Israeli gunfire near aid sites in south Gaza, Hamas-run ministry says
At least 32 Palestinians seeking food have been killed by Israeli gunfire near two aid distribution points close to Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. Dozens were also injured near the two sites run by the controversial US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), it said. The…
Three-Person Mitochondrial IVF Leads to Eight Healthy Births
Eight Healthy Children Born Using Three-Person IVF Technique Long-awaited results of a three-person IVF technique suggest that mitochondrial donation can prevent babies from inheriting diseases caused by mutant mitochondria By Ewen Callaway & Nature magazine Eight children in the United Kingdom are living healthy lives — potentially due to a ground-breaking but controversial reproductive procedure…
Trump calls for the release of Jeffrey Epstein grand jury testimony
Anastasia Tsioulcas After intense public pressure and criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum, President Trump has called for a federal judge to release grand jury testimony related to the disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused of sexually trafficking children. The Department of Justice has also formally asked the federal…
Man whose car struck crowd outside Los Angeles club, injuring 30, was shot, attacked by crowd
By The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — A vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter a nightclub along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles early Saturday, injuring 30 people and leading bystanders to attack the driver, authorities said. The driver was later found to have been shot, according to Los Angeles police,…
HalloweenCostumes.com Reveals Massive Wave of Animatronics for 2025
Earlier this Spring, HalloweenCostumes.com introduced a small selection of new animatronics, with a promise of two additional waves of reveals to come soon after. Well, the tariff situation seemed to have affected their timing, and no additional animatronics were immediately forthcoming. But this week, HalloweenCostumes.com are back with a vengeance, with the debut of their…
Rubio moves to strip US visas from eight Brazilian judges in Bolsonaro battle
Move by Marco Rubio is latest attempt by Trump administration to help former president avoid justice over alleged coup The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has reportedly stripped eight of Brazil’s 11 supreme court judges of their US visas as the White House escalates its campaign to help the country’s former president Jair Bolsonaro…
The Lowdown on Labubu: What to Know About the Viral Toy
Ever heard of Labubu? Scroll through social media and you’ll likely come across unboxing videos or clips of shoppers waiting in long lines to get one. Read about the viral toy and fashion accessory. They may be cute, but don’t let their nine-tooth smiles fool you: Labubus are bringing in serious business. Created by artist Kasing Lung…
Dropout.tv’s Brennan Lee Mulligan Brings Dungeons and Dragons to the Masses
The Surprising Science of Dungeons and Dragons Dropout.tv’s Brennan Lee Mulligan talks about the emotional and cultural importance of Dungeons and Dragons. By Rachel Feltman, Kelso Harper, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. Last April I spent a harrowing hour of my life trying to get…
Syrian presidency announces ceasefire after deadly sectarian clashes in south
The Syrian presidency has announced an “immediate ceasefire” in the southern city of Suweida to try to bring an end to a week of sectarian violence that has left hundreds dead. There have been chaotic gun battles on city streets between the local Bedouin tribesmen and the Druze community, with both accused of atrocities. Graphic…
Can You Drink Saturn’s Rings?
The UniverseFridays Can You Drink Saturn’s Rings? It’s certainly possible to consume water sourced from the icy rings of Saturn, but doing so safely may require extra steps By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings Saturn’s rings are mostly composed of chunks of water ice—but that doesn’t mean you could easily drink from them. Stay…
These Clueless Secrets Will Leave You Totally Buggin’
E! News not honoring the 30th anniversary of Clueless? The 1995 Alicia Silverstone film we’re majorly, totally, butt-crazy in love with? As if! You’ll want to totally pause and take these facts in. Somehow it’s been three full decades since a total Betty sauntered into our lives, bringing with her an entirely new vernacular, the…
Should you buy it? If you answer ‘yes’ to these questions, probably not
By Marielle Segarra , Malaka Gharib Many of us know the old adage to save money: Buy what you need, not what you want. But even when money is tight, it’s a hard rule to follow. It’s OK to buy what you want every now and then, but the key is to be intentional, says…
Malaria ‘back with a vengeance’ in Zimbabwe as number of deaths from the disease triple
Withdrawal of USAID funds threatens decades of progress, say experts, with cuts to research and shortage of mosquito nets putting thousands at risk across the country Zimbabwe’s efforts to control malaria have been dealt a huge blow as experts say the disease has returned “with a vengeance” after US aid cuts, with 115 outbreaks recorded…
Why the Epstein case looms large in MAGA world
When Jack Posobiec walked into the Department of Justice in Washington, DC last February, he thought he would finally get some answers about Jeffrey Epstein. But when he and other MAGA supporters were given essentially just rehashed, already-public material – and when the government put a damper on the release of any new information this…
Trump administration asks court to release some Epstein documents
The US justice department has asked a judge to unseal material related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following intense criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of the case. The request concerns transcripts from the grand jury involved in the government’s 2019 sex trafficking case against Epstein, materials that are typically kept secret and protected by…
Funding cuts will hit rural areas hard. One station manager explains how
By Juana Summers , Tinbete Ermyas , Jordan-Marie Smith NPR’s Juana Summers speaks with Tom Michael, general manager of Boise State Public Radio, about what the cuts to federal public media funding mean for his station. JUANA SUMMERS, HOST: Shortly after midnight, the House approved a Trump administration plan to cancel $9 billion in previously…
Wrestler Marcus “Buff” Bagwell Undergoes Leg Amputation
World Championship Wrestling alum Marcus “Buff” Bagwell explained his decision to amputate his right leg above the knee after being injured in a 2020 car wreck, instead of undergoing more surgeries. Marcus “Buff” Bagwell has made a difficult decision on his health. The World Championship Wrestling star revealed that after a “five-year-long journey” of trying…
This Number System Beats Binary, But Most Computers Can’t Use It
This Number System Beats Binary, But Most Computers Can’t Use It Why do computers only work with the numbers 0 and 1? There are machines that process three digits with more efficiency than you might expect By Manon Bischoff edited by Daisy Yuhas The Babylonians used separate combinations of two symbols to represent every single…
Caracas releases 10 Americans as Venezuelans freed from El Salvador jail
Scores of Venezuelans deported by US to El Salvador repatriated as Marco Rubio hails return of Americans Venezuela released 10 jailed Americans on Friday in exchange for getting home scores of migrants deported by the United States to El Salvador months ago under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The resolution represents a diplomatic achievement for…
Boy, 10, dead as nine in hospital after coach crash
A school’s head teacher says she feels “complete devastation” after one of her pupils was killed in a coach crash. A 10-year-old boy died after a coach returning pupils to Minehead Middle School after a trip to Exmoor Zoo crashed in Somerset on Thursday. Six other children remain in hospital – two at Bristol Children’s…
New U.S. Postal Service head says he doesn’t believe in privatizing the mail agency
Hansi Lo Wang Trump administration talk of transforming the U.S. Postal Service has set off a flurry of concerns about the future of the federal mail agency. The new leader of USPS is now trying to clear the air. “I do not believe that the Postal Service should be privatized or that it should become…
Tests that AIs Often Fail and Humans Ace Could Pave the Way for Artificial General Intelligence
AI’s Achilles Heel—Puzzles Humans Solve in Seconds Often Defy Machines Discover why some puzzles stump supersmart AIs but are easy for humans, what this reveals about the quest for true artificial general intelligence—and why video games are the next frontier By Deni Ellis Béchard edited by Dean Visser There are many ways to test the…
NFL Star Ryan Russell’s Boyfriend Corey O’Brien Shares Dating Update
NFL star Ryan Russell’s boyfriend of six years Corey O’Brien joked that he still doesn’t “know anything about football other than the fact that he tackles me.” Ryan Russell and Corey O’Brien are still total relationship field goals. In fact, Corey recently shared a glimpse into his relationship with the former Dallas Cowboys defensive end…
Trump administration to destroy nearly $10m of contraceptives for women overseas
As part of president’s end to foreign aid, destruction of the long-acting contraceptives will cost US taxpayers $167,000 The Trump administration has decided to destroy $9.7m worth of contraceptives rather than send them abroad to women in need. A state department spokesperson confirmed that the decision had been made – a move that will cost…
Trump threatens to sue over article about Epstein. And, what’s next for public media
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. The House approved a rescission plan last night to claw back $9 billion in previously allocated funds. This plan includes cutting federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,…
Bolsonaro ordered to wear ankle tag over fears he may abscond as coup trial nears end
Guilty verdict widely expected for Brazil’s ex-president accused of plot to seize power after losing 2022 election Federal police have raided Jair Bolsonaro’s Brasília mansion, banned him from communicating with foreign diplomats and ordered him to wear an electronic ankle tag amid fears Brazil’s ex-president may abscond to avoid punishment over an alleged coup attempt.…
Love Is Blind Season 9 Premiere Date Revealed
After the most recent season of Love Is Blind ended in March, the Netflix show has revealed its next premiere date. See every detail about the upcoming season nine. It’s nearly time to get back in the pods. Netflix recently announced its next string of reality show premieres, the ninth installment of Love Is Blind…
Can U.S. Math Research Survive NSF Funding Cuts?
Math Is Quietly in Crisis over NSF Funding Cuts A 72 percent reduction in federal funding is devastating to math research. The American Mathematical Society is offering $1 million in backstop grants—but it’s likely not enough. By Emma R. Hasson edited by Allison Parshall The U.S. National Science Foundation has made devastating cuts to mathematics…
Doctor and husband jailed for selling stolen PPE on eBay
An NHS doctor and her husband have been jailed for 10 months each after selling stolen hospital PPE on eBay during the Covid pandemic. Dr Attiya Sheikh, 46, and 48-year-old Omer Sheikh made almost £8,000 from selling the personal protective equipment as the virus was spreading throughout the UK in 2020. The pair admitted selling…
Ask your kids’ camps these key questions about heat and flood safety, experts say
Julia Simon The deaths of at least 27 children and staff at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas have some parents and guardians questioning the safety of summer camps, especially as global warming increases risks of extreme weather. Part of summer camp’s allure is that children are outside in nature. But that can also raise…
Review – Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #41 – Things Get Bizarre
Ray: Mark Waid is a master of DC continuity, so it’s no surprise that he easily shifts between tones and genres when he needs to. Last issue was a great done-in-one kaiju adventure and media satire, but this issue throws us right into a horror movie. Robin is alone on another world, being stalked by…
General Hospital’s Tristan Rogers Diagnosed With Cancer
Tristan Rogers, who has appeared on the daytime soap opera General Hospital as Robert Scorpio in more than 1,400 episodes since 1980, has been diagnosed with cancer, according to his rep. One General Hospital star has received a new medical diagnosis. Tristan Rogers, who made his first of over 1,400 appearances on the soap opera…
New Thermal Hole Opens at Yellowstone National Park
There’s a New Hole in the Ground at Yellowstone National Park The park’s newest hydrothermal feature has an otherworldly milky texture from dissolved silica By Stephanie Pappas edited by Jeanna Bryner A new thermal pool in the Porcelain Basin area of Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, shown here, likely formed in a series of…
Serious pollution incidents by water companies up 60% last year
Serious pollution incidents by water companies have risen 60% in a year, according to the Environment Agency. In total there were 2,801 pollution incidents in England in 2024, the highest on record, compared with 2,174 in 2023. Of these, 75 were considered to pose “serious or persistent” harm to fisheries, drinking water and human health…
Restaurant in China criticised for putting baby lion cuddles on menu
Diners jump at chance to snuggle with cubs but wildlife experts accuse firm of ‘exploiting wild animals for selfies’ A restaurant in northern China has been criticised by animal welfare groups for offering an unusual item on the menu: lion cub cuddles. According to a screenshot of a menu circulating on social media, Wanhui –…
Review – Zatanna #6: The Final Curtain
Ray: Jamal Campbell’s solo writer-artist debut has been characterized by brilliant art and a dense but coherent story, but it’s also adding one key thing to Zatanna’s mythos – our first look at her mother Sindella and her role in Zatanna’s upbringing. In most versions, she dies very early and Zatanna’s father plays a much…
British spies and SAS named in Afghan data breach
The identities of more than 100 British officials, including members of the special forces and MI6, were compromised in a data breach that also put thousands of Afghans at risk of reprisal, it can be reported. The latest fallout from the breach was kept secret by an injunction until Thursday, when the order was lifted…
Risk of undersea cable attacks backed by Russia and China likely to rise, report warns
Spate of incidents in Baltic Sea and around Taiwan are harbinger for further disruptive activity, cybersecurity firm says The risk of Russia- and China-backed attacks on undersea cables carrying international internet traffic is likely to rise amid a spate of incidents in the Baltic Sea and around Taiwan, according to a report. Submarine cables account…
Can AI help protect nature?
Despite risks, tool has ‘enormous potential’ for good, a Conservation International expert says. In her own words, Ali Swanson is a “tech skeptic.” Conservation News spoke with Swanson to unpack the perils and promise of integrating AI with conservation. Conservation News: What problems can artificial intelligence solve for conservation? Second, AI can help us both…
Henry Cavill Makes Rare Comment on Baby Girl With Natalie Viscuso
Six months after Henry Cavill welcomed his first baby with girlfriend Natalie Viscuso, the Justice League star spoke out on life in his “forever home” with his family and their two dogs. It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Henry Cavill getting candid about fatherhood! The Man of Steel star made a rare comment…
What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency, Trump’s Blood Vessel Condition?
What Is the Blood Vessel Disease Trump Is Diagnosed With? After photographs showed President Donald Trump with swollen ankles and bruised hands, the White House revealed he has chronic venous insufficiency—a blood vessel disease that affects circulation in the legs By Meghan Bartels & Lauren J. Young U.S. president Donald Trump meets with French president…
CBS will end ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ next year
Mandalit del Barco While taping his Thursday show, host Stephen Colbert made the surprising announcement that CBS is ending his late night show in May. The live audience at New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater booed when he delivered the news that this would be the show’s final season. “Yeah, I share your feelings,” he told…
Brain Activity Patterns Reveal Why Waking Up from Sleep Can Be So Difficult
Brain Science Reveals Why Waking Up Can Be Such a Struggle Neuroscientists have found that the brain can wake up in different ways, explaining why some mornings feel like a dream and some feel like a disaster By Katie Kavanagh & Nature magazine Join Our Community of Science Lovers! How does your brain wake up…
Review – Batman and Robin: Year One #9 – War at Castle Grimaldi
Ray: I was surprised when this series turned into an ongoing – after all, how much mileage can Waid and Samnee get out of the early days of Dick Grayson’s time as Robin? It turns out the answer is – a lot. A big part of this is that they have some really good villains…
Senate panel approves federal judge nomination for Emil Bove, who defended Trump
Carrie Johnson Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to advance the nomination of Emil Bove, President Trump’s former personal attorney, to a lifetime federal judgeship. All the Democrats on the panel walked out and did not vote. Bove’s nomination to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals now moves to the full Senate. Bove…
Scooter Braun Hints at Future With Justin Bieber After $31M Settlement
Scooter Braun said his story with Justin Bieber—who recently agreed to pay the manager $31.5 million in a financial deal—is “not done.” Scooter Braun will never say never to reuniting with Justin Bieber. The record executive—who cut ties professionally with the singer before retiring from artist management altogether in 2024—believes their story isn’t over despite…
Shooting of bear that swam to tiny Canadian island frustrates First Nations
Indigenous groups had offered to rehome grizzly nicknamed Tex who was killed without authorization The journey of Tex, a young grizzly bear that gripped public attention in Canada after swimming to a tiny populated island, came to a violent end this week after he was shot and killed without authorization, despite plans by Indigenous groups…
Child dies and 21 injured after school coach crash
A child has died and two others have been seriously injured after a coach bringing pupils back from an end-of-term school trip overturned and fell 20ft from a road. Avon and Somerset Police declared a major incident after the accident at Cutcombe Hill near Wheddon Cross in Somerset at about 15:00 BST. The coach was…
DC This Week Roundup – Old Enemies, New Threats
Ray: A chaotic battle-filled anniversary issue, as the Titans finally go up against Slade’s gang of enemies. The group includes Vanadia, who has betrayed the team after a misunderstanding, the mind-controlled Killer Frost and Mammoth – and Terra, the team’s original betrayer and Beast Boy’s tragic ex. And then there’s Clock King, the eccentric Bat-rogue…
Tom Cruise & Ana de Armas Make a Splash With Island Getaway
Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas vacationed together on a boat in the Spanish island of Menorca amid continued romance rumors. Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas felt the need for a joint vacation. Months after sparking romance rumors, the Top Gun star, and Knives Out actress spent time together on the island of Menorca. …
New Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS’s Biggest Mysteries Explained
7 Big Mysteries about Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS Scientists are racing to learn as much as possible about the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS before it fades from view forever By Jonathan O’Callaghan edited by Lee Billings The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS appears as a blurry, dust-shrouded dot in this image from the Gemini North telescope. Future observations should…
Brazil passes ‘devastation bill’ that drastically weakens environmental law
President has 15 days to approve or veto legislation that critics say will lead to vast deforestation and destruction of Indigenous communities Brazilian lawmakers have passed a bill that drastically weakens the country’s environmental safeguards and is seen by many activists as the most significant setback for the country’s environmental legislation in the past 40…
Plans for direct train to Berlin in new UK-Germany treaty
The UK and Germany have agreed a plan to create a new, direct rail link between London and Berlin as part of a wide-ranging treaty. The Kensington Treaty also includes opening e-gates for frequent travellers between the two countries next month, as well as agreeing school exchange visits. Friedrich Merz made his first official visit…
1960s pop star Connie Francis has died. The singer’s life was touched by tragedies
Jeff Lunden Connie Francis fixes her hair during a 1959 press reception at the Dorchester Hotel in London Pop singer Connie Francis has died at 87. The first female singer to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, she was known for her hit single “Who’s Sorry Now?” and for singing the theme song…
Maryland taps Affordable Care Act fund to help pay for abortion care
From By Scott Maucione Maryland is the first state to tap into a 15-year-old fund connected to the Affordable Care Act, to help solve a more recent problem: helping pay the expenses of patients who travel to Maryland for an abortion. The law passed this spring, and went into effect on July 1. Since the…
The Large Hadron Collider Discovers Antimatter Behaving Oddly in New Class of Particles
Mysterious Antimatter Physics Discovered at the Large Hadron Collider The LHCb experiment has observed a new difference between matter and antimatter in particles called baryons By Clara Moskowitz edited by Lee Billings Baryon particle illustration. Matter and antimatter are like mirror opposites: they are the same in every respect except for their electric charge. Well,…
Syria leader vows to protect Druze after sectarian violence prompts Israeli strikes
Syria’s interim president has said it is his “priority” to protect the country’s Druze citizens, after Israel vowed to destroy government forces it accused of attacking members of the religious minority in Suweida province. In his first televised statement since Israel’s air strikes on Damascus on Wednesday, Ahmed al-Sharaa also warned that Syrians were not…
Sudan’s children face growing threat of deadly infectious diseases as vaccination rates halve
The country, beset by war, has the world’s lowest rates of vaccination, says the World Health Organization, as global immunisation drive also stalls Children in Sudan, caught up in what aid organisations have called the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and threatened by rising levels of violence, are increasingly vulnerable to deadly infectious diseases as vaccinations…
Astronomers See Planet Formation ‘Time Zero’ in an Alien Solar System
Astronomers Witness an Alien Solar System’s Birth for the First Time Observations of a baby star may show the earliest stages of planet formation that astronomers have ever seen By Lee Billings edited by Dean Visser A view of HOPS-315, a baby star some 1,400 light-years from Earth where astronomers have observed evidence for the…