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 […]
Saving the Vision of People with Diabetic Retinopathy
Saving Your Sight from Blinding Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic eye disease robs sight from millions. But there are often ways to save vision By Liz Szabo edited by Josh Fischman This article is part of “Innovations In: Type 1 Diabetes”, an editorially independent special report that was produced with financial support from Vertex. Sterling Glass had…
Trump calls Colombia president ‘illegal drug dealer’ as US says it hit another ship
Trump vows to cut US funding as Pete Hegseth says US hit Colombian rebel group vessel and ‘three terrorists killed’ Donald Trump on Sunday accused Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, of being an “illegal drug dealer” and threatened to immediately cut US funding to the country as the defense secretary confirmed in a social media post…
Sam Rivers, bassist and founding member of Limp Bizkit, dies aged 48
By Chandelis Duster Sam Rivers, bassist for rock band Limp Bizkit, has died. He was 48 years old. Rivers’ death was confirmed by the band, who wrote online on Saturday: “today we lost our brother”. “Sam Rivers wasn’t just our bass player — he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in…
D&D Crunch—Bonus Action Tier List
If you’re interested in maximizing your action economy in Dungeons and Dragons, this tier list will help you find a class that uses Bonus Actions well and class options for the classes that don’t have good Bonus Actions to start. Action economy refers to how much impact you can have in the game on your…
See Kim Kardashian’s Jaw-Dropping Faceless Look at Academy Museum Gala
Kim Kardashian is breaking the internet yet again. Indeed, the Kardashians star made waves with her 2025 Academy Museum Gala look Oct. 18, attending the event in a Maison Margiela couture nude look—complete with a mask that covered her entire face. However, Kim revealed that despite her technically faceless look, she was still in full…
ICE tried to send one immigrant to a country he never lived in. Then he lawyered up.
Ximena Bustillo Samantha Surovtsev met her husband, Roman Surovtsev, in 2017 while jet skiing. When they started dating, Surovtsev was honest about his past. He told her that he had come from the former Soviet Union as a refugee at the age of four. And that when he was a teenager, his green card was…
Meet the Advocates Who Are Changing Type 1 Diabetes Care for the Better
Champions of Caring Advocates are lightening mental health burdens, improving pregnancy care and helping patients in developing countries By Lauren J. Young edited by Josh Fischman Kimberly Driscoll, Danielle Hessler Jones, Sarit Polsky, Florence Brown and Ileana Gill (left to right). This article is part of “Innovations In: Type 1 Diabetes,” an editorially independent special…
Ed Miliband hints at cut to VAT on energy bills
The government is looking at the possibility of cutting the rate of VAT on energy bills, Ed Miliband has suggested. The energy secretary said he would not speculate ahead of the chancellor’s Budget in November. But asked if the government would consider scrapping the 5% rate, he told the BBC the country was facing a…
Story of Indigenous activist’s murder takes top prize at London film festival
Jury says documentary about killing of Argentinian campaigner Javier Chocobar brings ‘a measure of the justice’ denied by the courts A documentary about the murder of the Indigenous activist Javier Chocobar has taken the top prize at the London film festival, with the jury calling it “a measure of the justice” that has long been…
Here’s What Each Zodiac Sign Should Know About Spooky Season
Never mind ghosts and goblins: a true jump scare for some? Setting boundaries. “This is your time to be radiant, magnetic,” Aliza added, “and just a little dangerous.” Speaking of possible danger: Virgo, now is the time to be a little more careful than usual. “Whether you’re manifesting, setting boundaries, or confessing something raw,” Aliza…
Met Police to look into claims Andrew sought information on accuser
The Metropolitan Police said it is “actively” looking into media reports that Prince Andrew tried to obtain personal information about his accuser Virginia Giuffre through his police protection. “We are aware of media reporting and are actively looking into the claims made,” the force said on Sunday. It comes after Ms Giuffre’s brother called on…
New DNA Search Engine Brings Order to Biology’s Big Data
By Elie Dolgin & Nature magazine Although MetaGraph is tagged as ‘Google for DNA’, Chikhi likens the tool to a search engine for YouTube, because the tasks are more computationally demanding. In the same way that YouTube searches can retrieve every video that features, say, red balloons even when those key words don’t appear in…
3 takeaways from the second No Kings day of nationwide protests
By Alana Wise , Chandelis Duster , Emma Bowman One of the biggest days of protest against the Trump administration’s policies happened on Saturday in cities around the U.S. The overriding theme of the marches was the accusation that President Trump is behaving more like a monarch than an elected official. It marked the second…
Kylie Jenner Slams Accusations She’s “Obsessed” With Her Younger Self
Kylie Jenner offered a fiery response to an accusation that she was “obsessed” with her younger self after reviving her King Kylie alter ego to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her cosmetics line. Kylie Jenner’s opinion is king. The Kylie Cosmetics founder clapped back at a social media user who took issue with her recent…
Why are so many rich Americans investing in British soccer teams?
By Robbie Griffiths Nestled on Britain’s south coast in the county of Dorset, Bournemouth is a quintessential English seaside town, known for its sandy beach and fish and chips. At the start of October, Bournemouth men’s soccer team hosted Fulham, London’s oldest professional soccer team, for a tightly contested Premier League match. But although these…
Will giving up his titles really make much difference for Andrew?
We’re unlikely to see Prince Andrew at a royal public event now for at least six months. And then maybe only once or twice a year. Banned from royal Christmas celebrations at Sandringham he won’t be on the annual church walk. It could be April 2026, at the Easter church service, before he reappears on…
Jake Paul’s Deepfake Gambit Sparks Debate over Sora Cameos and Digital Likeness Rights
Jake Paul’s Sora Stunt Previews Risks and Rewards of a Deepfake Marketplace New video apps like Sora could turn faces into moneymaking assets and hint at a future where everyone can rent out their digital likeness By Deni Ellis Béchard edited by Andrea Gawrylewski & Clara Moskowitz Boxer Jake Paul shows his Instagram livestream during…
US military to move survivors of strike on alleged drug boat in Caribbean to nearby countries
Releasing them from US custody evades thorny legal issues regarding military detention of suspected drug smugglers The Trump administration is moving to send the two survivors of Thursday’s strike in the Caribbean overseas rather than seek long-term military detention for them, four US officials and a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Saturday.…
Opinion: Susan Stamberg gave NPR its voice
Scott Simon We are here — and I mean on the air with you today — because of Susan Stamberg. There are of course others who helped turn the idea of National Public Radio into a distinctive sound. But a little over 50 years ago, when Susan’s voice began to crackle into kitchens and cars…
No Kings protests draw huge crowds as anti-Trump rallies sweep across US
Huge crowds have gathered to protest against President Donald Trump’s policies in cities across the US – among them New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles. The rally in New York City’s iconic Times Square drew thousands of people not long after it began on Saturday morning. Ahead of the demonstrations, Trump allies…
Christina Applegate Makes Instagram Debut Amid MS Battle
Christina Applegate, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021, made her Instagram debut as she shared a rare photo of herself in her first post on the platform. Christina Applegate is sharing an unfiltered look at her private life. The Dead to Me alum launched her new social media profile as a new way…
How ‘Wood Vaulting’ Could Help Slow Climate Change
Can We Bury Enough Wood to Slow Climate Change? Wood vaulting, a simple, low-tech approach to storing carbon, has the potential to remove 12 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year—and some companies are already trying it By Syris Valentine edited by Andrea Thompson 10M lbs. of fire-killed trees loaded in chamber.…
Anderillium Lchthyoformes Ink Series: Nature Meets Fountain Pen Art
This year at the Central Florida Pen Show, I met up with Anderillium Inks. They debuted their new Lchthyoformes Series with eight new colors to brighten your writing with. I decided to check out their first purple ink, Betta Fish Purple, and a new blue hue, Swordfish Blue. My first impressions of both inks were…
Giuffre brother calls on King to strip Andrew of prince title
The brother of Virginia Giuffre has called on King Charles to strip Prince Andrew of the title “prince” after he announced he is giving up his other titles, including the Duke of York. Ms Giuffre alleged she was forced to have sex with the prince on three occasions, including when she was aged 17 at…
Man seeking asylum in Canada trapped at US Ice facility after he says he crossed border by mistake
Canada isn’t helping to repatriate refugee applicant Mahin Shahriar, a 28-year-old Bangladeshi man, his lawyer says A refugee applicant living in Canada is trapped at a US immigration detention facility after he says he mistakenly crossed the border, but his lawyer says Canada isn’t helping to bring him back. Mahin Shahriar, 28, who came to…
The El Ali Meteorite’s Journey from Landmark to Loot
How a Space Rock Became a Scientific Breakthrough—And a Black Market Commodity A massive Somali meteorite containing never-before-seen-on-Earth minerals vanished into the black market, raising ethical questions about science and ownership. By Rachel Feltman, Dan Vergano, Jeffery DelViscio, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. For generations…
These voters want to overturn Missouri’s new gerrymandered congressional map
From By Savannah Hawley-Bates KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Lately, on any given day, you’ll find Leann Villaluz knocking on doors around Kansas City to get people to sign a petition that would let voters decide the fate of the state’s new congressional map. “There’s a sense of resentment, even to regular voters who aren’t as…
Selena Gomez Seemingly Slams Hailey Bieber Feud Rumors
Selena Gomez appeared to distance herself from comparisons between her Rare Beauty cosmetics line and Hailey Bieber’s Rhode Beauty brand, telling fans there’s “room for everyone.” Selena Gomez is urging her fans to calm down. The “Kill ‘Em With Kindness” singer shared a message seemingly addressing recent comments by Hailey Bieber, whose Rhode Beauty line…
Does the sale of Dominion Voting Systems mean a transformation? Depends who’s asking
By Miles Parks , Bente Birkeland “As of today, Dominion is gone,” read the first line of a press release that seemed to many readers to lean into the unfounded rumors that have swirled around the company (and led to hundreds of millions of dollars in defamation settlements) since Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020…
Model Found in Refrigerator Allegedly Killed After Weeklong Romance
Over a year after Magnus Humphrey was charged in connection to the murder of Maleesa Mooney, details about the pair’s alleged relationship leading up to the model’s 2023 killing have been shared. New details are being uncovered surrounding Maleesa Mooney‘s murder. Over a year after Magnus Humphrey was arrested and charged in connection to her…
US has seized survivors of attack on alleged narco-sub in Caribbean
In the six attacks on similar vessels launched by Trump, this is the first where any survivors have been reported The US has seized survivors of a military strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean, the first since Donald Trump began launching deadly attacks in the region last month, according to officials in…
Why D&D Spellcasters Should Take Exactly 1 Level in Wizard (and No More)
In the world of Dungeons and Dragons, Wizards have a reputation for being the most versatile spellcaster. It is true that they have access to many things, but the only feature which is unique to them is their most iconic feature: Spellbooks. Every other feature is something another class does better or more interestingly. Every…
President Trump commutes the prison sentence of George Santos
Saige Miller President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he commuted the prison term of George Santos, the disgraced New York Republican who was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for a litany of crimes after he was expelled from the House over accusations that he stole money from campaign donors. Trump made…
Who Inherits Prince Andrew’s Former Title? Royal Expert Weighs In
While Prince Andrew announced Oct. 17 that he will no longer use his royal titles, including Duke of York, royal expert Sharon Carpenter explained the move is “largely symbolic” for now. Who will be the new Duke of York? King Charles III’s brother Prince Andrew announced Oct. 17 that he would no longer be using…
What Is a Quasar? The Answer Depends on Your Point of View
The UniverseFridays When a Galaxy Erupts, What We See Depends on How We See It Voracious supermassive black holes light up the cores of “active” galaxies across the universe. How we see them, however, is a matter of perspective By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings A black hole-powered jet of subatomic particles erupts from…
Prince Andrew gives up his title as Duke of York
Prince Andrew is giving up his titles, including the Duke of York, he has announced in a personal statement. He has been under increasing pressure over his links with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with calls for Buckingham Palace to take action against him. That now seems to have resulted in the prince deciding to voluntarily…
Trump claims Maduro willing to give ‘everything’ to ease US tensions
President says Venezuelan counterpart ‘doesn’t want to fuck around with the United States’ Donald Trump used an expletive to threaten the Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro, on Friday, claiming that the leftist autocrat had offered major concessions to appease the US. The US president was speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday during a…
How King Charles III Reacted to Prince Andrew Giving Up Royal Titles
Prince Andrew shared that he made the decision to give up his royal titles amid continued scrutiny over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after a discussion with brother King Charles. King Charles III was part of Prince Andrew’s latest decision. After the member of the royal family said he would no longer…
How to See Comet Lemmon and the Orionids Meteor Shower Peak
How to Catch a Rare Comet and a Meteor Shower A comet visible to the naked eye will make its closest approach to Earth on October 21 By Dan Falk edited by Clara Moskowitz Astrophotographer Brennan Gilmore captured this photograph of Comet Lemmon on October 4, 2025, from central Virginia. Join Our Community of Science…
A GOP attack ad deepfakes Chuck Schumer with AI
By Shannon Bond , Jude Joffe-Block A new attack ad from Senate Republicans uses Sen. Chuck Schumer’s real words about the government shutdown — but in an AI deepfake of the Democratic Senate Minority Leader. The 30-second video posted on X and YouTube by the National Republican Senatorial Committee on Friday raised alarms among many…
Government ‘doing everything’ to overturn Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban
The government has said it is “doing everything in our power” to overturn a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending a football match in Birmingham and is exploring what additional resources could be required. On Thursday, Aston Villa said the city’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) decided that fans of the Israeli club should not…
Government loses bid to block appeal against Palestine Action ban
The government has failed in its attempt to block a challenge against its decision to ban Palestine Action under terrorism laws. In a highly significant ruling, the Court of Appeal paved the way for the review of the ban before a High Court judge next month. The co-founder of Palestine Action, Huda Ammori, had won…
ROG Xbox Ally X sells out, despite disdain for shifts in Microsoft’s gaming strategy
James Perkins Mastromarino Tech manufacturer ASUS is struggling to keep up with demand for its new ROG Xbox Ally X, released on Thursday. After testing a review unit of the handheld gaming PC, I can attest that it’s a powerful, if pricey, alternative to the Steam Deck. But it’s also compromised by an unpopular shift…
Wendy Osefo’s Real Housewives of Potomac Tagline Revealed After Arrest
The Real Housewives of Potomac’s season 10 opening credits featuring Gizelle Bryant, Wendy Osefo and more cast members delivering iconic one-liners have been revealed in E! News’ exclusive preview. Word on the street is The Real Housewives of Potomac taglines are finally here. For starters, RHOP O.G. Gizelle Bryant is settling into her new role…
Flu Cases Surge Early in Japan, Sparking Global Health Concerns
Flu Cases Surge Early in Japan, Sparking Global Health Concerns School closures and hospitalizations from an unexpected early spike in flu cases in Japan has experts concerned about what lies ahead for other countries By Rachel Fieldhouse & Nature magazine Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Japan’s health authorities have declared an influenza epidemic, with…
US anti-vax stance to blame for continent-wide surge in measles, say experts
The disease was eliminated across the Americas in 2024, but urgent vaccination drives are now under way as cases rise from Mexico to Bolivia after outbreaks farther north Governments across Latin America are stepping up efforts to vaccinate their populations against measles, as outbreaks in North America drive a 34-fold increase in the number of…
Former Japanese PM Murayama, known for apology over wartime aggression, dies at 101
By The Associated Press Murayama died at a hospital in his hometown Oita, southwestern Japan, according to a statement by Mizuho Fukushima, the head of Japan’s Social Democratic Party. As head of what was then known as the Japan Socialist Party, Murayama led a coalition government from June 1994 to January 1996. “During a certain…
Parrondo’s Paradox Explains How Two Losing Strategies Combined Can Win
A Mathematical Paradox Shows How Combining Losing Strategies Can Create a Win By Manon Bischoff edited by Daisy Yuhas In 1996 Spanish physicist Juan Parrondo made an incredible discovery: sometimes two games that each end in loss individually can be combined into a winning strategy. This paradox is no mere mathematical curiosity—it’s scientifically useful. It…
Peru to declare state of emergency after protests against new president leave one dead and dozens injured
Demonstrators clashed with police outside congress building amid public anger at crime crisis days after José Jerí assumed power Peru is set to declare a state of emergency after at least one person was killed and dozens of police officers were injured in widespread protests against President José Jerí who assumed power just days ago.…
Inside Pregnant Sofia Richie’s Model Mom Life With Baby Eloise
Sofia Richie—who announced she’s pregnant with her and husband Elliot Grainge’s second baby—has formed a special bond with her daughter Eloise over the past 16 months. Sofia Richie is feeling extra rich these days. The model shared that she and husband Elliot Grainge are expecting their second child together, posting a photo of her pregnant belly…
A Solution to the CIA’s Kryptos Code Is Found after 35 Years
A Solution to the CIA’s Kryptos Code Is Found after 35 Years After decades of speculation, two writers uncovered the answer to the Kryptos code’s final cipher By Humberto Basilio edited by Clara Moskowitz Kryptos, a work of art made of encrypted code, sits on the grounds of the C.I.A. Headquarters in Virginia Join Our…
‘Wrong’ to block Tel Aviv fans from Aston Villa match, says PM
Blocking Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending an Aston Villa match is the “wrong decision”, the prime minister has said. Followers of the Israeli team will not be allowed to attend the Europa League match between the sides on 6 November because of safety concerns, the body responsible for issuing safety certificates for matches said…
Elliot Grainge Shares Rare Message to Sofia Richie Amid Pregnancy
Hours before Sofia Richie shared she is expecting baby No. 2 with husband Elliot Grainge, the music executive posted a message of support for the pregnant model and her new fashion line, SRG Atelier. Elliot Grainge has nothing but love for his wife. The Atlantic Music Group CEO shared a heartwarming message celebrating Sofia Richie…
Ex-national security adviser John Bolton indicted in classified documents case
By NPR Washington Desk John Bolton, who served as national security adviser during President Trump’s first term before becoming a vocal critic, was indicted on Thursday on 18 charges related to the mishandling of classified documents. Details from the indictment filed in Maryland’s district court charge Bolton with eight counts for the transmission of national…
Survivors reported after latest US attack on alleged drug boat in Caribbean
It is unknown whether US military rendered aid to survivors after attack on suspected ‘narcoterrorist’ vessel The US military carried out a new strike on Thursday against a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean, and in what is believed to be the first such case, there were survivors among the crew, a US official told…
Trump says he will meet Putin in Hungary for Ukraine talks after ‘very productive’ call
US President Donald Trump says “great progress” was made during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, with the pair agreeing to face-to-face talks in Hungary. He said the call, the first with Putin since mid-August, was “very productive”, adding that teams from Washington and Moscow will meet next week. Trump did…
Four dead as Kenyan security forces fire on crowds mourning Raila Odinga
Thousands gather in Nairobi to pay respects to veteran opposition leader, prompting chaotic scenes at stadium Four people have been killed in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, after security forces fired shots and teargas to disperse huge crowds at a stadium where the body of the opposition leader Raila Odinga was lying in state. Odinga, a major…
Why Anderson Cooper Didn’t Let Himself Grieve Deaths of Dad, Brother
Anderson Cooper became tearful talking about coping with grief over the deaths of his dad Wyatt Cooper and brother Carter Cooper on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Oct. 15. Anderson Cooper is rediscovering joy after great loss. The CNN anchor emotionally explained how his life changed upon losing his dad Wyatt Cooper—who died at…
Indigenous and environmental leaders in Ecuador say they are facing state intimidation
Critics say referendum on rewriting country’s eco-friendly constitution is president’s latest pro-extractivist move Indigenous and environmental leaders in Ecuador say they are facing a wave of state intimidation ahead of a national referendum next month on whether to rewrite the world’s only constitution that recognises the rights of nature. The pressure is being applied by…
Some of the things Gaza needs: A government, security and tools to rebuild
Greg Myre TEL AVIV, Israel — A shaky ceasefire is holding in the Gaza Strip, yet no one can claim to be fully in charge of the shattered territory. Gaza lacks a functioning government. Hamas is waging street battles with various Palestinian armed factions. Bulldozers and other construction equipment are desperately needed to clear all…