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 […]
Did Astronomers Photograph UFOs Orbiting Earth in the 1950s?
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 […]
Dungeons & Dragons – Starter Set: Heroes of The Borderlands
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 […]
Kickstarter Tabletop Alert: Time Loop Shenanigans in ‘Chronofiends!!’
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 […]
Bolsonaro denies coup plot but admits discussing ‘alternative ways’ to remain president
Ex-Brazilian president admits in court that after Lula’s win, ‘we studied other alternatives within the constitution’ Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has denied masterminding a far-right coup plot at his trial in the supreme court, but he admitted to taking part in meetings to discuss “alternative ways” of staying in power after his defeat in…
White House Launches Another Assault on Science Funding, Targeting NSF, EPA
White House Launches Another Assault on Science Funding The Trump administration is targeting still more federal science funding, this time more than $30 billion at the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation and other agencies By Scott Waldman, Corbin Hiar & E&E News OMB Director Russell Vought testifies before the House Appropriations Committee on…
TikTok superstar Khaby Lame was detained by ICE before being allowed to leave the U.S.
By Bill Chappell Khaby Lame, famous for his silently hilarious TikTok persona, was detained by immigration officers last week, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Lame, 25, rose to fame while living in Italy, becoming the most-followed personality on TikTok by creating comedy skits and skewering ludicrous “life hacks” promulgated online. He currently has…
Austria school shooting death toll rises to 11 after victim dies in hospital
Ten people have been killed in a school shooting in the Austrian city of Graz, in what is the deadliest gun attack in the country’s recent history. Police said the 21-year-old gunman, a former student, took his own life in a school bathroom shortly after. The incident took place at Dreierschützengasse secondary school in the…
See Michelle & Barack Obama’s Off-Duty Family Portrait With Daughters
Michelle Obama and Barack Obama celebrated youngest daughter Sasha Obama’s 24th birthday by sharing a rare family portrait that also included eldest daughter Malia Obama. Michelle Obama and Barack Obama will always put family first. The former first couple shared a rare vacation photo with daughters Malia Obama, 27, and Sasha Obama, 24, in honor…
‘Escape Room: Game Zero’ A Book Review
Christopher Edge is one of those authors who offers slender novels packed full of ideas. It ought to be impossible to include the broad sweep of technology and science that he brings to his stories and get them under 200 pages. Even harder if you’re aiming at a middle grade audience. Yet he has done…
How to Protect Yourself from Recent Salmonella Outbreak in Recalled Eggs
Science-Backed Ways to Stay Healthy during Salmonella Outbreak in Eggs To prevent Salmonella food poisoning, refrigerate your eggs, cook them well, never eat them raw and clean, clean, clean By Mark Fischetti edited by Dean Visser Join Our Community of Science Lovers! At least 79 people have been sickened by a Salmonella outbreak linked to…
U.S.-China trade talks continue for a 2nd day in London
By Fatima Al-Kassab , Emily Feng LONDON — Lancaster House, an ornate government mansion in the U.K. capital, is the location for the second round of tariff negotiations between the U.S. and China. Investors and world leaders are watching these talks closely to see if they can help thwart the prospect of a deepening trade…
Teresa Giudice’s Next Gen NYC Cameo Will Have RHONJ Fans Buzzing
RHONJ‘s Teresa Giudice and Gia Giudice had a must-see mother-daughter moment alongside RHOSLC‘s Meredith Marks and Brooks Marks in E! News’ exclusive sneak peek at Bravo’s Next Gen NYC. Teresa Giudice and Meredith Marks are taking over a completely different city. The Real Housewives stars make a highly anticipated appearance on Next Gen NYC while…
UK sanctions far-right Israeli ministers for ‘inciting violence’ against Palestinians
The UK has sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers over “repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities” in the occupied West Bank. Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will both be banned from entering the UK and will have any assets in the UK frozen as part of the measures announced by the foreign secretary. David Lammy…
Six babies with unvaccinated mothers born with measles in Canada
Ontario’s chief medical officer of health says infections could have been prevented through routine vaccination Six babies with unvaccinated mothers have been born with congenital measles in the Canadian province of Ontario since the start of the largest outbreak of the disease in the western hemisphere late last year. Ontario’s chief medical officer of health,…
Rob Kardashian Shares Matching Moment With Daughter Dream Kardashian
Rob Kardashian, who shares 8-year-old daughter Dream Kardashian with ex Blac Chyna, celebrated the matching Kobe Bryant sneakers he and his daughter now own together. Rob Kardashian is ready to meet his daughter on the basketball kourt. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum gave a glimpse at how he and Dream Kardashian—who he shares…
Canadian PM vows to boost defence spending and reduce dependency on US
Carney says Canada will hit Nato target of 2% of GDP five years ahead of schedule amid ‘dangerous and divided world’ Mark Carney has promised to boost defence spending to its highest level in decades, warning that in a “dangerous and divided world”, Canada must reduce its dependence on the US for defence. Speaking at…
We quit our jobs, sold our home and spent 10 years fighting for truth over daughter’s death
Warning: This article contains upsetting details and reference to suicide There didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary when Jane Figueiredo spoke to her daughter that night on the phone. “Alice asked me to bring her some snacks for the next time we visited,” Jane says. But that call, at 22:15 on 6…
Review – JSA #8: The Wrath of Wotan
Ray: JSA is one of those properties that has a long, storied history – something Jeff Lemire always likes to explore. Last issue, we ended the funeral for Wildcat with a huge twist – Ted Grant in the afterlife, being reunited with his deceased partners from the original WW2 JSA for one last mission. And…
Sizewell C nuclear plant gets £14bn go-ahead from government
The government has committed £14.2bn of investment to build the new Sizewell C nuclear plant on the Suffolk coastline, ahead of the Spending Review. Sizewell C will create 10,000 direct jobs, thousands more in firms supplying the plant and generate enough energy to power six million homes, the Treasury said. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the…
Why the Waymo Car Fires in Recent Los Angeles Protests Caused the Robotaxis to Burn So Completely
Thermal Runaway Explains Why Waymo Cars Burned So Completely in the Recent Los Angeles Protests During recent protests in Los Angeles, fires triggered “thermal runaway” in several Waymo robotaxis’ lithium-ion battery packs. The phenomenon sent temperatures past 1,000 degrees Celsius, vaporized much of the cars and spewed lung-searing hydrogen fluoride By Deni Ellis Béchard edited…
Christian Slater’s 2 Daughters Make Rare Public Appearance
Christian Slater’s kids Eliana, 23, and a 5-year-old daughter whose name has not yet been revealed, stepped out for their dad’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles on June 9. Blink twice and you might miss this rare appearance from Christian Slater‘s kids. The Heathers alum was honored with a star on the…
High seas treaty ‘a long time coming’
Most of the ocean belongs to no one — but is the responsibility of everyone. Nearly two-thirds of Earth’s seas lie beyond the jurisdiction of any nation, and in these “high seas” are a bounty: more than 90 percent of ocean habitat and some of the highest reservoirs of biodiversity on the planet. Yet only…
Colombia: president says shot candidate had security detail cut on day of attack
Revelation from Gustavo Petro follows shooting of Miguel Uribe Turbay by alleged 15-year-old hitman in Bogotá The security detail for the Colombian presidential candidate who was shot at a campaign rally at the weekend was severely reduced on the day of the attack, the country’s president has said. Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, was shot twice…
Drug deaths plummet among young Americans as fentanyl carnage eases
Brian Mann When Justin Carlyle, 23, began experimenting with drugs a decade ago, he found himself part of a generation of young Americans caught in the devastating wave of harm caused by fentanyl addiction and overdose. “I use fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, yeah, all of it,” Carlyle said, speaking to NPR on the streets of…
How the Mathematics of Honesty Underlies These Auctions
How Honesty Won This Economist a Nobel Prize Here’s the surprising math at the heart of auction theory By Jack Murtagh edited by Jeanna Bryner Auction theory suggests a bidder in some auctions would get the best price with … honesty. You’re at a blind auction, and the rules are simple. If you see something…
Three-quarters of pensioners to get winter fuel payment after U-turn
More than three-quarters of pensioners will receive the winter fuel payment this year after Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed a major policy U-turn. Nine million pensioners in England and Wales with an annual income of £35,000 or less will now be eligible. The policy was widely blamed for Labour’s poor local election results. Reeves said the…
Review – Poison Ivy #34: Gathering of the Trees
Ray: A lot of people have speculated that this series might be reaching its natural ending point soon, as the story seems to be reaching a crescendo and author Wilson has recently revealed a major new book for the competition. I’m not sure, but it does seem like this book is about to have its…
Weather tracker: Storms make way for summer heat in Europe
Florence in Italy could hit 39C as hot weather sweeps continent, while parts of South Africa brace for snow The severe thunderstorms that have been lashing parts of Europe over recent days are expected to give way to high temperatures this week. Several regions could climb to 10C (50F) above seasonal norms, with Italy braced…
NIH scientists call on director to protect biomedical research
Rob Stein Hundreds of scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a call for action they dubbed the Bethesda Declaration on Monday to push back against cutbacks and changes at the biomedical research agency. Organizers say more than 340 staffers on the NIH’s sprawling campus in Bethesda, Md., just outside Washington, D.C., sent…
Milky Way–Andromeda Collision Is in Doubt, North Atlantic Ocean Heat Surged, and Worms Build Towers
New Doubts about Milky Way–Andromeda Collision, Explanation of 2023 Marine Heat Wave and Worms That Build Towers The Milky Way’s big crash with Andromeda might not be a sure thing. Plus, we discuss an overheated ocean, a giant planet circling a tiny star and worms that build living towers. By Rachel Feltman, Naeem Amarsy &…
Dad Accused of Killing His 3 Daughters Had Chilling Online Searches
Travis Decker, who has been charged with killing his daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, had a suspicious search history leading up to the murders, an affidavit revealed. Police are continuing to investigate a horrific crime. After Washington state resident Travis Decker was charged with the murders of his daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn,…
Chris Mason: Labour hopes to put winter fuel misstep behind them
The final act in this slow motion U-turn has played out. The arc of this row runs to almost a year. It was late July last year when I was among a bunch of reporters called into the Treasury to question the then new chancellor about her out-of-the-blue policy to take the Winter Fuel Payment…
Trump’s trade war is raising money for the government, but at whose expense?
Scott Horsley President Trump has been promising his tariffs will help make America more prosperous. There’s already evidence that tariffs are helping the government’s bottom line. The federal government collected $68.9 billion in tariffs and excise taxes during the first five months of the year, according to Treasury Department data collected by the Bipartisan Policy…
Brazil braces for Bolsonaro’s day in court as ex-president testifies over ‘coup plot’
Rightwinger accused of conspiring against democracy says appearance before supreme court will be ‘worth watching’ Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro, will finally find himself in the dock this week, accused of masterminding an armed far-right conspiracy to seize power after losing the 2022 presidential election. The 70-year-old paratrooper turned populist, who governed from 2019 until…
First Vaccine for Gonorrhea Rolls Out, Measles Outbreak in Texas Slows, and Megalodon Diets Are Investigated
Megalodon Diets, Teeth Sensitivity and a Bunch of Vaccine News It’s one step forward and two steps back for vaccine policy in the U.S. Plus, we discuss the fishy origins of sensitive teeth and megalodon diets. By Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura Rachel Feltman: Happy Monday, listeners! It may technically still be spring,…
Home secretary yet to agree deal days before spending review
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has still yet to agree a deal with the Treasury before Wednesday’s Spending Review, despite an offer of above inflation increases to police funding in each of the next three years. Ministers have been locked in talks with Rachel Reeves and her team ahead of the major financial statement, which sets…
Why Sister Wives’ Kody Brown Says Falling in Love Has Been Painful
Sister Wives’ Kody Brown shared insight into the struggles of falling in love amid public scrutiny as well as judgements from the former polygamist’s ex-wives during the TLC series’ June 8 special. Kody Brown is shielding his marriage from judgement. After he and his sole remaining wife Robyn Brown’s displays of affection were met…
Sister Wives’ Christine Brown Says Kody Brown Sex Life Had No Emotion
Sister Wives’ Christine Brown reflected on her sex life with ex Kody Brown in the June 8 episode of the TLC series’ tell-all, saying it had “no real emotion.” Christine Brown is reflecting on the end of her marriage with Kody Brown. Years after her split from the Sister Wives patriarch, Christine is now able…
How Velvet Worm Slime Hardens in Seconds to Trap Prey
Velvet Worm Slime Reveals Its Sticky Secrets The velvet worm’s extraordinary goo could inspire recyclable bioplastics By Elizabeth Anne Brown edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Velvet worms like this one “sneeze” out a sticky goo with intriguing properties. The velvet worm, a squishy little predator that looks like the stretch-limo version of a caterpillar, has…
DC This Week Round-Up – Fusion and Fan-Mail
Ray: Tying in with the events of “We Are Yesterday”, the finish to this sci-fi adventure delivers some great action. Captain Atom has been captured by Inferno – but there’s a stowaway on board in the form of Ryan Choi, who has infiltrated the enemy base to try to free his subject/friend. As Ray Palmer…
Tony Awards 2025: The complete list of winners
Chloee Weiner The 78th Annual Tony Awards hosted by Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, will be held Sunday at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The award show will be airing on CBS, and streaming on Paramount+. Below is the full list of 2025 Tony Award nominees, with winners marked in bold. Best MusicalBuena Vista Social…
Weather tracker: Fierce thunderstorms and big hailstones hit parts of Europe
France particularly badly hit, while rainfall across southern China triggers landslides and widespread disruption This week, large parts of Europe have been affected by a series of intense thunderstorms, bringing torrential rain, damaging winds and large hail. Central France was particularly badly affected by the severe weather, as powerful storm systems swept south-westward across the…
Nurses to vote on pay deal as potential strike looms
Almost 350,000 nursing staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be asked to vote from Monday on a 3.6% pay increase. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has already dismissed the award as “grotesque” and says the vote will be crucial in determining the next steps which could include a ballot for strike action.…
Troops arrive in LA as Trump sends National Guard to curb immigration raid protests
By Joe Hernandez , Steve Futterman Members of the California National Guard arrived in the Los Angeles area Sunday morning, after President Trump activated the troops to curb protests against federal immigration raids that occured in and around the city in recent days. Some of the demonstrations, which came in response to a spate of…
Why Tom Felton Thought Draco Malfoy Role in Cursed Child Was a Prank
Harry Potter alum revealed at the 2025 Tony Awards that he thought the offer to bring Draco Malfoy to life once again for the Broadway show the Harry Potter and The Cursed Child was a prank. Tom Felton was raising an eyebrow with his wand for this role. After the Harry Potter alum announced that…
Nuclear Weapon Strike Decisions Could Come Down to Human Suggestibility
In Deciding to Launch a Nuclear Strike, Humans Are Shockingly Suggestible Surveys show that how nuclear strike options are presented strongly influences the decision a president may make By Sarah Scoles edited by Clara Moskowitz Thermonuclear Detonation 1967 Pacific Proving Grounds. No one has launched a nuclear weapon in war since 1945, when U.S. president…
‘Bee Speaker’ by Adrian Tchaikovsky: A Book Review
Another month, another book by Adrian Tchaikovsky. This time, returning to his irregular but excellent Dogs of War series. Each book nominally stands on its own. Indeed, I read book 2, Bear Head, before reading book 1, Dogs of War, with little detriment. Having said that, to fully understand the world Tchaikovsky has created, I…
Israel says Hamas Gaza chief Sinwar’s body identified
The Israeli military has said it has located and identified the body of Mohammed Sinwar, the military leader of Palestinian armed group Hamas in Gaza. His body was discovered in a tunnel underneath the European Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday. It said it had…
Frequent TikTok users in Taiwan more likely to agree with pro-China narratives, study finds
Survey shows correlation between use of Chinese-owned platform and approval of unification with China Taiwanese people who spend large amounts of time on TikTok are more likely to agree with some pro-China narratives, a survey has suggested. The study, conducted by the Taiwan-based DoubleThink Lab, surveyed people across Taiwan in March, asking a series of…
10 Things Parents Should Know About Setting Up the Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo’s launch of the Switch 2 has been a real ride, due, at least in part, to these unprecedented times in which we live. (Oh, dear reader, how I long to return to precedented times!) There was a trade war and related shipping concerns. There was a rush for pre-orders… and then a number of…
Palestinians say at least five people killed by Israeli gunfire near Gaza aid centers
By The Associated Press DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinian health officials and witnesses say at least five people were killed and others were wounded by Israeli fire as they headed toward two aid distribution points in the Gaza Strip run by an Israeli and U.S.-backed group. Israel’s military said it fired warning shots at…
What Will Happen to Opioid and Drug Overdose Deaths after CDC Cuts?
Inside the Collapse of America’s Overdose Prevention Program Layoffs and funding freezes have gutted the CDC’s response to the opioid crisis—just as harm reduction was beginning to work By Lois Parshley edited by Lauren J. Young A worker checks on a patient at an overdose prevention center in New York City on February 8, 2022.…
Why Teen Mom’s Jenelle Evans Wants to Normalize Cannabis Use for Moms
Teen Mom alum Jenelle Evans is ready to blaze her own trail in the cannabis industry. The mom of three explained to E! News why she wants to “normalize” the practice for her fellow mothers. When it comes to her next career move, Jenelle Evans is feeling pretty fired up. “I’m looking to start a…
Gaza health workers say four killed by Israeli gunfire near aid centre
At least four Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire as they were heading to an aid distribution centre, health workers in Gaza have said. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops had directed warning shots after issuing a verbal challenge at a group that was moving towards them and was deemed a threat. It…
Jailed Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong hit with new charges
Wong accused of conspiracy in move rights groups condemn as ‘outrageous’ attempt to keep influential dissident imprisoned Jailed pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has been hit with further national security charges, a move rights groups said showed the Hong Kong government was trying to keep dissidents behind bars for as long as possible. Wong, a well-known…
‘Choose Your Own Evolution:’ A Book Review
Now and then, a book comes along based on a premise so simple, yet so obviously genius, you can only wonder why you’ve never seen it before. So it is with Choose Your Own Evolution. Written by Jules Howard and illustrated by Gordy Wright, this book takes you from being a Dickinsonia, 570 million years…
How Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris Became the Perfect Teammates
Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris are a winning team. Learn more about the love story between the One Tree Hill actress and the soccer star. As a former goalie, Ashlyn Harris was a pro at protecting the net. But over the past few years, she’s been focused on protecting something else—her peace. Yes, even amid all…
Recovery Failure: Why we struggle to rebuild for the next storm
Laura Sullivan This is the first of two episodes from NPR’s The Sunday Story from Up First. You can listen to both episodes here or wherever you listen to podcasts. Loading… When Shalana Jordan finally arrived at her parents’ trailer home in Swannanoa, N.C., alongside the river, she paused and let out a long sigh. The building was…
Shot Colombian presidential candidate has had successful surgery, mayor says
Miguel Uribe said to have entered ‘critical hours’ after attack allegedly by 15-year-old who is in custody The Colombian presidential candidate who was shot in Bogotá has successfully undergone a first operation after being flown to hospital in critical condition, the city’s mayor has said. Miguel Uribe, a 39-year-old senator who has been running for…
Mathematicians Solve Multidimensional Shape-Slicing Dilemma
Mathematicians Solve Multidimensional Fruit-Slicing Dilemma A 40-year-old conjecture on shapes’ cross sections is finally proven By Max Springer edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Join Our Community of Science Lovers! In 1986 Belgian mathematician Jean Bourgain posed a seemingly simple question that continued to puzzle researchers for decades. No matter how you deform a convex shape—consider…
Bowen: Israel is accused of the gravest war crimes – how governments respond could haunt them for years
Even wars have rules. They don’t stop soldiers killing each other but they’re intended to make sure that civilians caught up in the fighting are treated humanely and protected from as much danger as possible. The rules apply equally to all sides. If one side has suffered a brutal surprise attack that killed hundreds of…
Salmonella outbreak linked to California egg distributor sickens 79 people
Clare Marie Schneider As of Friday, a salmonella outbreak linked to a California egg producer had sickened at least 79 people. Of the infected people, 21 hospitalizations were reported, U.S. health officials said. Organic and cage-free brown eggs from August Egg Company with specific sell-by dates distributed across nine states and retail locations should be…
Father’s Day Gift Guide 2025
Price: $69.95 Amazon Perfect for the prequel-loving dads, his 616-piece LEGO set brings Jango Fett’s iconic Mandalorian helmet to life in amazing detail. From the color-scheme to the adjustable range finder, it’s a stylish display piece that’s as fun to build as it is to show off. Whether he’s Team Fett or just a sucker…