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 […]
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 […]
UFOs Are Just One Explanation for Mysterious Patterns in Old Telescope Data New peer-reviewed research reporting strange lights in the pre-space-age sky is sparking curiosity and controversy By Jonathan O’Callaghan edited by Lee Billings For generations, UFO enthusiasts have longed for claims of aliens visiting Earth to be seriously investigated by scientists. Now they are […]
For many, Dungeons & Dragons may seem like a insurmountable entry point to the world of RPGs, and, in many ways, especially without at least one seasoned veteran in your group, it isn’t necessarily an incorrect assumption. The all new Dungeons & Dragons – Starter Set: Heroes of The Borderlands aims to eliminate that hurdle […]
The research station is stuck in an ever-shrinking time loop—use your time-manipulating powers to accomplish your objectives before time runs out! Chronofiends!! (yes, the exclamation points are part of the title) is a cooperative time-loop game for 1 to 4 players, ages 13 and up, and takes about 90 minutes to play. It’s currently seeking […]

A year ago, Vanessa Hudgens and baseball player husband Cole Tucker officially started something new when they welcomed their son. To celebrate, we’re boppin’ back to the top of their sweet romance. Vanessa Hudgens realized rather quickly that Cole Tucker was exactly who she had been looking for. In fact, as soon the High School…

Ray: Ram V continues to take us deeper into the mystical side of the DCU than any other writer has in a long time. Mitch Shelley has completed his latest evolution as Resurrection Man, dying peacefully of old age – and as such, has evolved to be immune and above time itself. Now in the…

Politics is a uniquely exposing trade. The noble act of volunteering for elected office and then, for a lucky few, assuming the highest political office, comes rightly with scrutiny and difficult questions. And it is unquestionably true that the questions for the Chancellor Rachel Reeves have just got even more difficult after this week’s spectacular…

Jasmine Garsd A federal judge in Washington, D.C. ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration cannot deny entry to people crossing the southern border to apply for asylum. The court found that neither the constitution nor federal immigration law allow the president to make that decision. The proclamation to deny entry to asylum seekers at the…

For Dolphins, Echolocation May Be More Like ‘Touching’ Than ‘Seeing’ Dolphins seem to “feel” their way across the sea with narrow, sweeping beams of sonar By Cody Cottier edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier A pod of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) swimming at the Las Cuevitas dive site in the Revillagigedo Archipelago. Join Our Community of…

Score major savings and celebrity-approved glow-up essentials—Amazon’s Early Prime Day deals deliver the beauty tools you love, for less. Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Learn more. Not to be dramatic, but if you’ve been eyeing a celeb-approved beauty tool,…

While being held at the so-called Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) in El Salvador, Ábrego García and 20 other men “were forced to kneel from approximately 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM”, according to the court papers filed by his lawyers in the federal district court in Maryland. Guards struck anyone who fell from exhaustion while kneeling,…

David Folkenflik The announcement Tuesday from Paramount Global, CBS’ parent company, that it had settled President Trump’s private lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview was welcome news for its controlling owner, Shari Redstone. But it represented yet another bitter pill for independent journalism to swallow. The CBS Eye blinked. Disney’s Mouse didn’t roar. The Washington…

After Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted him on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, a sentencing date was set for Oct. 3. Sean “Diddy” Combs is awaiting the next step in the judicial process. After a New York jury found the rapper guilty of transportation to engage…

Sir Keir Starmer has backed Rachel Reeves to remain chancellor “into the next election and for many years after” after she was seen crying during Prime Minister’s Questions. The prime minister had refused to say whether Reeves would remain in her job until the next election in front of MPs in the Commons, during a…

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…

President exceeded his authority and his proclamation of an ‘invasion’ at southern border is unlawful, court rules A federal court has ruled that Donald Trump’s proclamation of an “invasion” at the US-Mexico border is unlawful, saying that the president had exceeded his authority in suspending the right to apply for asylum at the southern border.…

Ray: It’s rare for a schedule issue to really screw up a comic’s momentum, but this one might be an exception. The sequel to the excellent Batman ‘89, which gave us the Burtonverse version of Two-Face at long last, has been delayed massively and now tries to wrap up a host of plots in only…

How China Could Win the Race to Return Rocks from Mars Launching in 2028, China’s Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission could bring Red Planet rocks back to Earth as early as 2031—years ahead of competing U.S.-European efforts By Andrew Jones edited by Lee Billings China’s first Mars rover, Zhurong, with its Tianwen-1 landing platform, which…

Unusual burial of man, thought to have been a potter, in sealed vessel may have helped DNA survive past four millennia A man whose bones were shaped by a lifetime of hard labour more than 4,500 years ago has become the first ancient Egyptian to have his entire genetic code read and analysed by scientists.…

After Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty on two of the five charges in his sex trafficking and racketeering trial, his family members, including mom Janice Combs, reacted to the jury’s verdict. Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ inner circle is looking ahead. After the rap mogul was found guilty on only two out of the five charges…

Anastasia Tsioulcas This report includes mentions of physical and sexual violence. A federal jury in Manhattan has found Sean Combs, the hip-hop mogul also known as Diddy or Puff Daddy, guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was found not guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of…

The Princess of Wales has spoken candidly about the life-changing long-term challenges of recovering after chemotherapy, as she visited a hospital in Essex. Catherine said during treatment “you put on a sort of brave face” but afterwards it can still feel “really difficult”. She told patients at the hospital about life after cancer treatment: “You’re…

Footage of three-a-side game shows humanoids struggling to kick the ball or stay upright They think it’s all over … for human footballers at least. The pitch wasn’t the only artificial element on display at a football match in China on Saturday. Four teams of humanoid robots took on each other in Beijing, in games…

A lot has changed since High School Musical debuted on Disney Channel in 2006. Head back to East High to find out what Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and more stars are up to now. We’ve got exactly what you’ve been looking for: An update on the cast of Disney’s High School Musical. It’s…

Top Website for Crucial U.S. Climate Information Goes Dark Links to the U.S.’s most comprehensive climate reports—the National Climate Assessments—disappeared from the Internet on Monday, along with the official government website that houses them By Chelsea Harvey & E&E News As night falls on the eastern U. S. Hurricane Ian can be seen moving slowly…

Issues at an electrical substation which caused a fire that resulted in Heathrow Airport closing were first detected seven years ago but not fixed, a report has found. The investigation found that National Grid, which owns the substation, had been aware of a fault since 2018. The report details numerous opportunities to rectify issues at…

Chloe Veltman Parades, pageants, flag-waving and fireworks. These, plus a good dose of history, will all play a role in the United States Semiquincentennial celebrations leading up to and on July 4, 2026 — the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Various national, statewide and local groups are involved in the…

See The 4 Books Scientific American Loved Reading In June Here’s a collection of exclusive book recommendations, from slithering snakes to a river’s impact, for your summer reading lists, curated by Scientific American By Brianne Kane edited by Andrea Gawrylewski Summer reading is a time-honored tradition. The experience of diving into a captivating thriller or…

The extraordinary thing about Tuesday’s welfare reform vote is it felt, albeit perhaps just fleetingly, like the fraught and chaotic parliamentary rows about Brexit. Or even the bumpy moments for Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. It is extraordinary to say that because the parallel seems absurd: those moments in recent years happened to prime ministers…

These Bravoleb-approved travel picks will make packing for your next vacation a breeze — and they’re all majorly on sale! Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Learn more. Summer is officially here. That means it’s time to start thinking about packing…

Homeland security secretary attempting to end legal status for approximately 521,000 Haitian immigrants A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s bid to end temporary deportation protections and work permits for approximately 521,000 Haitian immigrants before the program’s scheduled expiration date. Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded Joe Biden’s extension of temporary…

By Jude Joffe-Block Twenty states, led by California, sued the Trump administration Tuesday after federal health officials shared sensitive data about Medicaid recipients with the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement. “The Trump Administration has upended longstanding privacy protections with its decision to illegally share sensitive, personal health data with ICE,” said California…

Cold spell expected to push northwards as storm system that has brought torrential rain in Bolivia and Brazil clears A sharp cold spell affecting the southern half of South America is expected to intensify and push northwards in the coming days as a broad area of high pressure builds over the continent. Over the weekend,…

Russia’s Space Program Is Another Casualty of the War in Ukraine To achieve its ambitious plans for missions to the moon and beyond, Russia needs other spacefaring nations as partners. But the war in Ukraine is making that help increasingly hard to find By Eugene Gerden edited by Lee Billings A Russian Soyuz rocket is…

The government has won a vote on its benefits bill by 75 votes, but only after offering last-minute concessions to Labour rebels. Ministers had already watered down their plans once by reversing some cuts to universal credit and protecting current claimants of personal independence payment (Pip) from stricter eligibility rules. However, some Labour MPs were…

The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal case has reached a verdict on four out of five charges but have not reached a consensus on one charge due to “unpersuadable views.” Court will resume July 2. There is a major update in the federal case of Sean “Diddy” Combs. After two days of deliberations, the…

By Gabrielle Emanuel Last week, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a pronouncement that stunned the global health world. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance — which has vaccinated more than half the world’s children in many of the world’s lowest-income countries — was hosting a major event to solicit donations for its…

Everyone wants to be the next big breakout cartoon—assemble the best cast of characters and find fame! FlipToons is a deck-building game for 1 to 4 players, ages 10 and up, and takes about 15–30 minutes to play. It retails for $19.95 and will be released at Gen Con 2025, with pre-orders open now that…

Three former senior staff at the hospital where nurse Lucy Letby murdered seven babies and attempted to kill seven others have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. They worked on the senior leadership team at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016 and were bailed after being questioned on Monday. The…

Advocates say the move could turn the tide for other British overseas territories battling for LGBTQ+ rights A court in London has upheld a Cayman Islands law legalising same-sex civil partnerships, in a move that campaigners say could turn the tide for other British overseas territories battling for LGBTQ+ rights. On Monday, the privy council,…

Could China’s New GLP-1 Drugs Beat Out Ozempic? GLP-1 drugs currently being tested in China target complications associated with obesity such as heart disease, fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes By Rachel Fieldhouse & Nature magazine A drug that outperforms placebo in helping people to lose weight is one of a growing number of…

Ari Daniel A storied US agency, one that began under President Kennedy in 1961 with the aim of providing global stability through a wide array of humanitarian aid and development programs, has now formally closed. Since January, the Trump administration has systematically dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID), canceling thousands of contracts and…

The Labubu is the hottest toy of 2025, and the net worth of Wang Ning—the founder of the company Pop Mart, which distributes the toy—is proof. Labubu is securing the bag—in more ways than one. As sales of the toy continue to skyrocket, Mart’s Wang Ning is cashing in on a staggering, 10-digit profit. Ning—who…

There’s a saying that Robert F Kennedy Jr is very fond of. He used it on the day he was confirmed as US health secretary. “A healthy person has a thousand dreams, a sick person only has one,” he said as he stood in the Oval Office. “60% of our population has only one dream…

Scientists Used Prehistoric Tools to Build a Canoe, Then Paddled Across 140 Miles from Taiwan to Japan Researchers and expert seafarers teamed up to re-create an ocean journey from more than 30,000 years ago By Nora Bradford edited by Andrea Thompson Expert paddlers in the dugout canoe recreating the ancient journey from Taiwan to the…

Grisly finding comes at end of worst month in war between Sinaloa factions as government tries to stop killings Mexican authorities have found 20 bodies in the state of Sinaloa, a region gripped by a war between factions of the Sinaloa drug cartel that is reaching new heights of violence. The state prosecutor’s office said…

The Science of ParentingMondays Summer Learning Loss Happens, but Kids Quickly Recover During the summer, kids can forget some of what they learned during the school year. They recover quickly, but here are some tips to stem the slide By Megan Kuhfeld & Simona Beattie edited by Megha Satyanarayana Cut through the claims: Get email…

“I’ve not had as much quality time with my colleagues since the Brexit wars,” a minister told me with a wry smile. A remark that gets to the heart of this benefits row within the Labour Party: this is a government with a big majority, that has already performed a big U-turn and yet is…

Ryan Lucas The Justice Department has charged a Pakistani national who allegedly orchestrated a $650 million fraud scheme that primarily targeted an Arizona Medicaid program offering addiction treatment and other services for Native Americans. Court papers say the defendant, Farrukh Ali, conspired with at least 41 substance abuse clinics to bill the state for hundreds…

Amazon’s Early Prime Day deals are here—shop the finds Bravo stars like Kyle Richards, Kandi Burruss, Ariana Madix, Paige DeSorbo, Gia Giudice, Madison LeCroy, and more are loving. Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Some brands featured in this…

Trump officials hail U-turn as Mark Carney says decision to rescind digital services tax means revival of trade talks The United States has said that Canada’s prime minister Mark Carney “caved” to demands from the White House after his government abruptly scrapped their digital services tax on US technology companies, which was set to go…

Rocks in Canada Are Confirmed as World’s Oldest In 2008 scientists reported that rocks in Canada were the world’s oldest. New data appear to confirm this contested claim By Alexandra Witze & Nature magazine An artistic impression of Earth during the Hadean eon, when the planet formed its first solid crust—most of which later sank…

Snag the best early Prime Day 2025 deals now on top home and kitchen picks, including must-see Ninja gadgets, a Dyson vacuum, cooling summer bedding, and so much more. Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Some brands featured in this…

Talking to the Host of Drilled about the Legal Battles around Standing Rock Energy Transfer, the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline, sued the nonprofit Greenpeace over alleged conspiracy—the host of Drilled explains why By Rachel Feltman, Alex Sugiura, Jeffery DelViscio & Fonda Mwangi Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. In…

Former labor minister, 61, won primary for leftwing parties with over 60% of vote ahead of November election The Chilean communist Jeannette Jara, the country’s former labor minister, has won the primary election for leftwing parties with surprising ease, beating out a more moderate rival to clinch over 60% of the vote. The decisive upset…

At least 20 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike that hit a popular seafront cafe frequently used by activists, journalists, and local residents in western Gaza on Monday, according to medics and eyewitnesses. Rescue teams evacuated 20 bodies and dozens wounded from Al-Baqa Cafeteria, an outdoor venue which consisted of tents along the…

Two US firefighters have been fatally shot and a third wounded after a man intentionally started a fire and began shooting at first responders in a “total ambush” which lasted several hours, authorities said. The gunman, who investigators said acted alone, began shooting after crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain, just north of…

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,…

Heat Domes Are Hotter and Lingering Longer—Because of the Arctic A rapidly warming Arctic is driving long-lasting summer extremes, such as this month’s sweltering temperatures, new research suggests By Chelsea Harvey & E&E News The sun rises over Manhattan on June 24, 2025 in New York City as the first heat wave of the year…

Swarms in South Korean capital trigger heated debate over pest control as experts say rising temperatures partly to blame Seoul residents are grappling with an invasion of so-called “lovebugs” that have swarmed hiking trails and urban areas across the South Korean capital, with experts debating how to handle the infestations that are surging as the…

Astronomers Spy Jets Spewing from Megacomet Zooming through the Solar System Recent observations have revealed carbon monoxide venting from the largest comet ever seen, providing clues about its origins in the mysterious depths of the outer solar system By Jonathan O’Callaghan edited by Lee Billings In this artist’s impression, a comet erupts with jets of…

Russell Lewis The Kootenai County, Idaho Sheriff’s department has lifted a shelter in place order for Coeur d’Alene that was issued this afternoon in response to an active shooter in a recreation area. A press release from the department issued around 8pm local time Sunday says, “This evening, members of the SWAT team located a…

The US must rule out any further strikes on Iran if it wants to resume diplomatic talks, Tehran’s deputy foreign minister has told the BBC. Majid Takht-Ravanchi says the Trump administration has told Iran through mediators it wants to return to negotiations, but had “not made their position clear” on the “very important question” of…