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 […]
What to know about Lesotho, the country Trump said ‘nobody has ever heard of’
By Kate Bartlett Loading… JOHANNESBURG — In his Tuesday night address to Congress, President Trump defended his administration’s humanitarian aid cuts to countries around the globe, including one nation he joked “nobody has ever heard of.” It is the southern African nation of Lesotho. The country’s foreign minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, told NPR it was “quite…
In State of the Union Speech, Trump Touts Fossil Fuels and Critical Minerals Plan
Trump Pushes His Fossil Fuel-Focused Energy Agenda in State of the Union Speech In his State of the Union Speech, President Trump pushed fossil fuel extraction, a plan for developing critical minerals and an Alaska natural gas pipeline By Garrett Downs & E&E News U.S. President Donald Trump during a joint session of Congress in…
Refugees in Kenya’s Kakuma camp clash with police after food supplies cut
Teargas fired during protest at reduced rations after US aid freeze wipes out half of World Food Programme budget Thousands of refugees clashed with police in a Kenyan refugee camp this week after receiving news that their food allocations would be cut because of funding problems. The UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, confirmed that four refugees…
Meet the Syrians behind the music that inspired a revolution
By Emily Feng , Jawad Rizkallah HOMS, Syria — His face is everywhere in Syria. It’s plastered on the country’s new flags, on sweaters and on the side of buses. His voice, untrained and unfiltered, is ubiquitous, too: used in cellphone ringtones and blared from loudspeakers. His name is Abdel Basset al-Sarout. Once the goalkeeper…
How Ants May Save You from Future Traffic Jams
How Ants May Save You from Future Traffic Jams Ants’ tactics to avoid traffic jams could be applied to future self-driving cars By Allison Parshall edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Join Our Community of Science Lovers! From an airplane, cars crawling down the highway look like ants. But actual ants—unlike cars—somehow manage to avoid the…
How Soon Could Ukraine’s Forces ‘Start to Buckle’ Without U.S. Weapons?
Russia-Ukraine War It could be as little as four months, say analysts, as Europe scrambles to plug the hole in support left by President Trump’s suspension of military aid. The United States has sent $67 billion of military aid to Ukraine. Europe has sent $65 billion to Ukraine. Other countries have sent $4 billion. Canada…
Student guilty of raping 10 women among UK’s most prolific predators, police say
A PhD student who has been convicted of drugging and raping 10 women “may turn out to be one of the most prolific sexual predators that we’ve ever seen in this country”, according to the lead detective on the case. Chinese national Zhenhao Zou, 28, attacked two women who have been identified and another eight…
Jennifer Hudson Hit in The Face by Ball During Date Night with Common
During Jennifer Hudson and Common’s date night at the New York Knicks game, where they played the Golden State Warriors, the Dreamgirls alum was struck in the face by a flying basketball. Jennifer Hudson’s basketball outing was certainly not a slam dunk. After all, the talk show host was hit by a flying basketball while attending…
Trump could water down tariffs on Canada and Mexico
President could strike deal to provide ‘relief’, US commerce secretary says, amid warnings of price increases for US consumers Donald Trump is weighing plans to water down sweeping US tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, according to a senior official, one day after an economic strike on the US’s two biggest trading partners sparked…
Denise Richards & Tori Spelling Reveal ’90s Love Triangle With TV Star
Longtime BFFs Denise Richards and Tori Spelling reminisced about once getting competitive over dating ’90s heartthrob and Melrose Place star Patrick Muldoon early in their careers. Denise Richards and Tori Spelling are taking a stroll down memory lane. The longtime BFFs reminisced about dating the same ’90s television heartthrob during the March 4 episode of…
Consumers can buy Zepbound direct from the drugmaker if they’ll pay out of pocket
By Sydney Lupkin Every month, roughly 100,000 people buy Zepbound directly from Eli Lilly through its website. “It’s about the size of a small city,” says David Ricks, Eli Lilly’s CEO. That’s about 10% of the 1 million people who use the blockbuster obesity drug every month, though the numbers can vary, he says. The…
Neuroscientists Should Set a High Bar for Evidence against Free Will
Opinion Neuroscientists Should Set a High Bar for Evidence against Free Will Neuroscience research claiming to question the existence of free will may have been misinterpreted By Aaron Schurger, Adina Roskies & Uri Maoz edited by Dan Vergano Do you believe in free will? Some scholars do not—and they rely on evidence from the brain…
Arab States Propose Alternative to Trump’s Gaza Plan
Middle East Tensions Trying to counter President Trump’s call to “clean out” Gaza, Arab leaders have begun to outline their own vision for Palestinians in the territory. By Vivian Yee and Ismaeel Naar Vivian Yee reported from Cairo and Ismaeel Naar from Dubai. Arab countries countered President Trump’s proposal to expel Palestinians from Gaza and…
Hong Kong firm to sell stake in Panama ports amid Trump pressure
Deal with US finance giant BlackRock, valued at almost $23bn, comes amid push to curb perceived China influence CK Hutchison Holdings, the Hong Kong-based logistics giant, announced plans to sell a majority stake in a business that controls ports in Panama to investors including the US financial giant BlackRock in a deal worth almost $23bn.…
Treasury earmarks billions in spending cuts
The Treasury has earmarked several billion pounds in draft spending cuts to welfare and other government departments amid expectations the chancellor’s room for manoeuvre has all but been wiped out. The department will put the proposed cuts to the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR), the official forecaster, on Wednesday ahead of the Spring Statement later…
Starting with Rep. Al Green, Democrats protest against Trump’s speech to Congress
By Elena Moore , Deirdre Walsh NPR is bringing you the latest from President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. For more updates, get our or listen to The NPR Politics Podcast. Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green was removed from the House chamber after heckling President Trump during his first address to a joint session of…
The AI Future Is Here
The AI Future Is Here AI’s integration into everything—untangling traffic snarls, dictating drug prescriptions, rewriting the rules of scientific discovery—is accelerating quickly By Andrea Gawrylewski Join Our Community of Science Lovers! In January, Chinese artificial-intelligence start-up DeepSeek blew up the dam. The company released a chatbot that rivals industry leaders such as OpenAI’s Chat-GPT o1…
Campaigners celebrate court ruling to ‘decolonise’ Kampala
After a five-year campaign, landmarks and streets honouring British colonialists will be renamed to reflect Ugandan culture Campaigners have welcomed a court ruling to remove British colonial monuments from Uganda’s capital, Kampala, and to rename streets that honour “crooks and historical figureheads”. In last week’s high court ruling, Justice Musa Ssekaana directed the city authorities…
At Ukraine’s Trump-Themed Cafe, Patrons Demand a Name Change
Russia-Ukraine War At a pizza and coffee joint in Kyiv named for the U.S. president, patrons are having second thoughts about its moniker after President Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine. transcript You got to be more thankful. Because let me tell you, you don’t have the cards. With us, you have the cards. But…
Congressman Al Green Removed During Trump’s Speech to “Goodbye” Chants
Congressman Al Green—a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives—was removed from the Capitol chamber by the sergeant at arms after interrupting President Donald Trump’s speech. President Donald Trump‘s latest address in the U.S. Capitol has experienced a slight hiccup. Rep. Al Green—an 11-term Democrat from Texas—was ejected from the chamber floor for verbally interrupting…
Get Younger Skin in Minutes With This French Beauty Brand’s New Serum
All it takes is a few drops of Guerlain’s new Youth Watery Oil Serum to get visibly plumper, younger-looking skin. Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Learn more. You’re just an hour away from plumper, more youthful skin. Want to…
Zelensky vows to ‘make things right’ with Trump and negotiate peace
Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to work under Donald Trump’s “strong leadership” to achieve a lasting peace days after their explosive Oval Office meeting. The Ukrainian president described the White House showdown as “regrettable” in a lengthy social media post in the wake of the US announcing a pause in military aid to Kyiv.…
Company Seeking to Resurrect the Woolly Mammoth Creates a ‘Woolly Mouse’
Company Seeking to Resurrect the Woolly Mammoth Creates a ‘Woolly Mouse’ On their quest to bring back the extinct woolly mammoth, Colossal Biosciences has developed the woolly mouse By Adam Popescu edited by Andrea Thompson The “woolly mouse” was developed by Colossal Biosciences by editing genes to give the mouse a bushier, thicker coat, akin…
Conservatives Hobble Iran’s Moderate President, Stoking a Political Crisis
Trump Administration With Iran already wounded economically and diplomatically, hard-liners forced out two top officials and blocked talks with the United States, freezing President Masoud Pezeshkian’s agenda. By Farnaz Fassihi Iran’s conservatives have ousted two high-profile officials, throwing President Masoud Pezeshkian’s new, moderate government into turmoil and raising questions about its survival. The showdown comes…
Does Stopping Ozempic Cause Rebound Weight Gain and Health Problems?
Most People Stop Ozempic after Two Years. What Happens to Weight and Health? Ozempic and similar GLP-1 weight-loss medications are designed to be a lifelong treatment. But a new study finds the majority of people who use these drugs quit after just two years By Lori Youmshajekian edited by Lauren J. Young The class of…
Dolly Parton’s Husband Carl Dean Made Rare Outing 5 Years Before Death
Dolly Patron’s ultra-private husband Carl Dean, who died March 3 at the age of 82, was last photographed in public over five years before his passing, marking his first public outing in four decades. Dolly Parton’s husband Carl Dean preferred the quiet life. Before the country music legend announced March 3 that her husband of…
US consumers warned to brace for higher prices due to Trump’s tariffs
Retailers predict prices ‘highly likely’ to rise almost immediately after 25% duty came into effect on exports from Mexico Americans have been warned to brace for higher prices within days after Donald Trump pulled the trigger on Monday and imposed US tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, and hiked tariffs on China. Global stock…
Ukraine Races to Salvage U.S. Alliance After Trump Halts Aid
Russia-Ukraine War “We are working on all possible scenarios to protect Ukraine,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose country was looking to European allies for support. By Marc Santora Reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine A day after President Trump ordered the suspension of American military assistance, Ukrainian diplomats and politicians scrambled on Tuesday to find a way…
Canada, China say fentanyl crisis is only a “pretext” for Trump’s new tariffs
Brian Mann Officials in Canada and China are blasting the Trump administration for using illegal street fentanyl as justification for new trade tariffs that go into effect today. In a statement, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump’s criticism “unjustified,” noting that fentanyl seizures at the U.S. northern border have dropped to “near-zero.” “While less…
Vance denies disrespecting UK over ‘random country’ peacekeeping remarks
The US vice-president has sparked a row with his comments about a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine. UK opposition politicians accused JD Vance of disrespecting British forces after he said a US stake in Ukraine’s economy was a “better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30…
As Trump shrinks other parts of government, immigration task forces grow
By Ximena Bustillo , Chiara Eisner The Trump administration is taking the novel step of turning to other agencies to quickly bolster its immigration enforcement workforce as it prioritizes arrests and deportation. The Department of Homeland Security is tapping other agencies and federal groups — from the U.S. Marshals Service to the IRS — to…
World Food Programme to close office in southern Africa after Trump aid cuts
UN food agency received half its budget from US last year and is accelerating merger plan as a result of funding cuts The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) is closing its southern Africa office in the wake of the Trump administration’s aid cuts. In a statement, a spokesperson said the office in Johannesburg would close…
Angelina Jolie Supports Daughter Zahara’s Moment in the Spotlight
Angelina Jolie watched on as daughter Zahara gave a speech at the Women in Training, Inc. mother-daughter brunch in Alabama on March 1. For Angelina Jolie, loving her kids is eternal. The actress showed her sweet support for daughter Zahara by attending a mother-daughter brunch in Montgomery, Ala., on March 1. The 20-year-old even stepped…
What pause in US military aid could mean for Ukraine
President Donald Trump’s decision to pause all US aid to Ukraine is a bitter blow – not just for Kyiv but also European allies who have been lobbying the US administration to continue its support. This is not the first time that the US has withheld military aid. Republicans in Congress blocked then-President Joe Biden’s…
First Measles Death, Outbreaks of Mysterious Illness in DRC and Microbes in Space
The Latest on Measles in the U.S, a Mystery Illness in the DRC and the Flu Vaccines In this news roundup, we cover outbreak updates, microbes in space and a brain turned to glass. By Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura Rachel Feltman: Happy Monday, listeners! And happy March. For Scientific American’s Science Quickly,…
On Mexico’s Once-Packed Border, Few Migrants Remain
Tariffs There has been a dramatic drop in the number of people gathering at the U.S. border and trying to cross. Can it help Mexico stave off President Trump’s threatened tariffs? There has been a dramatic drop in the number of people gathering at the U.S. border and trying to cross. Can it help Mexico…
Jason Ritter Reacts to Melanie Lynskey Fans Asking If He Can Fight
Melanie Lynskey’s husband Jason Ritter had the perfect response to a fan who jokingly challenged him to a fight after seeing the Yellowjackets star at the Vanity Fair Oscars party March 2. Jason Ritter knows there’s a lot of buzz around his wife Melanie Lynskey. Indeed, the couple’s date night at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscars Party on…
In the news: Climate change is scrambling food production
Mangos are on the move. A recent story on the online news site Grist reported from the Italian island of Sicily, where growing conditions are becoming more favorable to tropical mangos than to the lemons and olives traditionally grown in the region. For longtime readers of Conservation News, this may come as little surprise. In…
This Colombian ‘hotel for cows’ could help reduce deforestation in the Amazon
By Julia Simon Cali, Colombia – Under lush trees drooping with moss and vines, Carlos Hernando Molina whistles as he approaches a herd of brown cows. This farm, called El Hatico, has been in Molina’s family since the late 1700s. For centuries his family’s cows would graze in open pastures under the hot sun. But…
Markets sink as Trump confirms tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
President Donald Trump is moving forward with 25% tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico into the US, saying that time had run out to reach a deal. US stock markets sank in response to the measures, which have been threatened since earlier this year and are due to go into effect on Tuesday.…
Jubilant Brazilians hail I’m Still Here’s Oscar as landmark in fight for justice
Walter Salles’s dictatorship-era movie turns focus on dark time in country’s history and more recent coup attempt Ahead of the Oscars ceremony, Brazil’s Fernanda Torres – star of Walter Salles’s dictatorship-era movie I’m Still Here – had warned her compatriots not to get into a “World Cup fever” over the Academy Awards. Her plea went…
Cutting a Parent Out of Your Life Isn’t Always the Right Solution
Opinion The Science of ParentingMondays Cutting a Parent Out of Your Life Isn’t Always the Right Solution Popular culture paints going “no contact” as the best way to deal with hard family relationships. But it’s not always the right choice By Joshua Coleman & Karl Pillemer edited by Megha Satyanarayana Cut through the claims: Get…
How Trump’s Canada Tariffs Could Impact Both the U.S. and Canada
Tariffs President Trump’s plan to apply 25 percent tariffs on Canadian exports is set to start on Tuesday. They would deal a brutal blow to Canada’s economy. By Ian Austen Reporting from Ottawa It is not an exit anyone would have expected. Justin Trudeau will end his final days as Canada’s prime minister with the…
The Surprisingly Difficult Mathematical Proof That Anime Fans Helped Solve
How Anime Fans Stumbled upon a Mathematical Proof When a fan of a cult anime series wanted to watch its episodes in every possible order, they asked a question that had perplexed combinatorial mathematicians for years By Manon Bischoff edited by Daisy Yuhas Fans of a classic anime series sought to work out how long…
I’m Still Here wins Oscar for best international film, becoming first Brazilian film to do so
Brazil’s official entry beats beleaguered French favourite Emilia Pérez to the podium I’m Still Here has won the Oscar for best international film at the Academy Awards, which are currently taking place in Los Angeles. It is the first Brazilian film to win the award. Directed by Walter Salles and starring Fernanda Torres, I’m Still…
Israel’s culture minister calls a Palestinian-Israeli film’s Oscar a ‘sad moment’
By Daniel Estrin , Itay Stern , Nuha Musleh TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel’s culture minister has called the Oscar win of a joint Palestinian-Israeli documentary “a sad moment for the world of cinema.” Palestinian residents whose community’s struggles are depicted in the film called the award a morale boost. The film No Other Land,…
With Cease-Fire Shaky, Israel and Hamas Consider Both Diplomatic and Military Options
Middle East Tensions As the first phase of the truce in Gaza ends, the two sides are continuing negotiations but also preparing for a possible return to war. By Adam Rasgon and Iyad Abuheweila Adam Rasgon reported from Jerusalem, and Iyad Abuheweila from Istanbul. When the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas was announced in…
Best moments from the Oscars: A payback kiss, a surprise win, and a call out to ‘Mommy’
This year’s Oscars had it all – glamour, tears and the Wicked stars defying gravity. Here are some of the top moments from the biggest night in Hollywood. There was an audible gasp from journalists in the winners’ room when Mikey Madison was announced as the best actress winner. Demi Moore was the favourite for…
Oscars: Zoe Saldaña Apologizes to Mexicans Offended by Emilia Pérez
Following the 2025 Oscars, Zoe Saldaña addressed Emilia Pérez backlash while speaking to press at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, issuing an apology to anyone offended by the film’s portrayal of Mexico. Zoe Saldaña is still proud of Emilia Pérez despite backlash at the 2025 Oscars. Moments after taking home the award for Best Actress in…
Poll: Majorities say state of the union is not strong, and Trump is rushing change
Domenico Montanaro Majorities say the state of the union is not strong, that the country is headed in the wrong direction and President Trump is rushing to make changes without considering their impact, a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds. There are some real warning signs for Trump, particularly with independents, who oppose his cuts to…
Israel Halts Aid to Gaza and Proposes New Cease-Fire Framework
Middle East Tensions Israel has called for Hamas to accept a temporary extension of the existing cease-fire deal, and to release more hostages. By Isabel Kershner Reporting from Jerusalem Israel announced on Sunday that it was immediately halting the entry of all goods and humanitarian assistance into Gaza, trying to force Hamas into accepting a…
Private ‘Athena’ Moon Lander and NASA ‘Trailblazer’ Launch to Hunt for Lunar Water
Private ‘Athena’ Moon Lander and NASA ‘Trailblazer’ Launch to Hunt for Lunar Water Intuitive Machines’ Athena lander is planned to touch down near the moon’s south pole on or around March 6 By Josh Dinner & SPACE.com A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, carrying the Intuitive Machines moon lander Athena.…
In pictures: Stars turn on the style on Oscars red carpet
The fashion is almost as important as the films at the Oscars, and Hollywood’s finest walked the red carpet in an array of eyecatching outfits before Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles. They included Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, who wore a shade of her character Elphaba’s green in an elaborate velvet ballgown. Erivo missed out on…
Mental health crisis ‘means youth is no longer one of happiest times of life’
UN-commissioned study in UK, US, Ireland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand finds satisfaction rises with age For more than half a century, the midlife crisis has been a feature of western society. Fast cars, impulsive decisions, and peak misery between the age of 40 and 50. But all that is changing, according to experts. In…
Angie Stone, soul singer who broke ground in hip-hop, dies at 63
Kristin Wright The music world and saddened fans are mourning the sudden loss of Angie Stone. The Grammy-nominated R&B singer died Saturday morning in a car crash in Montgomery, Ala. She was 63. Stone’s sultry voice resonated with multiple generations. She first entered the music scene professionally in the late 1970s as a member of…
Why Congo’s Vast Army Is Struggling to Fight M23
Congo-Rwanda Conflict The latest conflict in eastern Congo has exposed endemic weaknesses in the country’s military, long known for corruption, extortion and abuse. The latest conflict in eastern Congo has exposed endemic weaknesses in the country’s military, long known for corruption, extortion and abuse. Congolese soldiers near the city of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo,…
What Kamala Harris Was Really Doing During Oscars 2025
Former Vice President Kamala Harris enjoyed an Oscars 2025 watch party at home—completed with Doritos—with husband Doug Emhoff on March 2. Kamala Harris is kicking back on Oscars night. Like many Americans across the country, the former Vice President and her husband Doug Emhoff caught the 2025 Academy Awards from home. As seen in a…
This Twist on Einstein’s Greatest Theory Deserves More Attention
Einstein’s General Relativity with a Twist: Teleparallelism A nearly century-old offshoot of Einstein’s general theory of relativity may hold promise for solving the mysteries of dark matter, dark energy and more By Paul M. Sutter edited by Lee Billings Dark matter, dark energy, the Hubble tension: underpinning these theories is Einstein’s general theory of relativity,…
Japan battles largest wildfire in decades
More than a thousand people have been evacuated near forest of Ofunato in northern region of Iwate More than a thousand people have been evacuated as Japan battles its largest wildfire in more than three decades. The flames are estimated to have spread over about 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) in the forest of Ofunato in…
Laura Kuenssberg: Zelensky bruised but upbeat after diplomatic whirlwind
“Bruised but motivated,” was how one of Volodymyr Zelensky’s entourage described how they had been feeling, as a small group of journalists crammed into what felt like an even smaller room at Stansted Airport. The British state had done its best to give the Ukrainian president “all bells and whistles” when he arrived in the…