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 […]
Steve Rosenberg: Trump offers Putin a way back in from the cold
A single phone call will not magically end the war in Ukraine. Talks may now get under way. Exactly when and how they will conclude isn’t clear. But President Vladimir Putin has already scored something of a diplomatic victory simply by holding this telephone conversation. After all, three years ago he was out in the…
Teddi Mellencamp Has Multiple Brain Tumors, Will Undergo Surgery
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Teddi Mellencamp shared she’s having emergency surgery after doctors recently found multiple tumors in her brain. Teddi Mellencamp is facing another health scare. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum shared she has been diagnosed with multiple brain tumors. “For the last several weeks I’ve been dealing with severe and…
Trump Gives EPA One Week to Decide on Abandoning Climate Pollution Regulation
Trump Gives EPA One Week to Decide on Abandoning Climate Pollution Regulation President Trump ordered EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to decide by next week whether the agency could abandon its authority to regulate climate pollution under the Clean Air Act By Jean Chemnick & E&E News Steam rises from the coal-fired Miller Power Plant in…
The Fiercest Fighting of the Ukraine War May Be in Russia
Russian soldiers are locked in a fierce battle to reclaim all of the Kursk region from the Ukrainian Army. Both sides view control of Kursk as a crucial element in expected peace talks promised by President Trump. Many residents of the region were forced to flee. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 Russian civilians remain. The…
Love rats: Canadians get chance to feed rodents named after old flames to owls
Program is meant to help the endangered northern spotted owl – and it’s only C$5! – but rat lovers are not amused Revenge, they say, is a dish best served cold. And for an endangered owl breeding program in Canada, it’s also a dish best served dead. For the price of a coffee, spurned and…
Canada and Mexico tariffs risk inflating US housing crisis, Trump is warned
Exclusive: Dozens of congressional Democrats urge president to reconsider threatened import duties on US’s two largest trading partners Pressing ahead with steep tariffs on Canada and Mexico risks exacerbating the US housing crisis and threatening the broader economy, dozens of congressional Democrats have warned Donald Trump. The US president, after threatening to hit imports from…
Modi and Trump’s rapport may be tested as Indian prime minister visits Washington
By The Associated Press NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s longstanding bonhomie with President Donald Trump could be tested as the Indian leader kicks off a visit to Washington on Wednesday, eager to avoid tariffs that have been slapped on others and threats of further taxes and imports. India, a key strategic partner of…
Penguins Help to Map Antarctica’s Growing Mercury Threat
Penguins Help to Map Antarctica’s Growing Mercury Threat Molted penguin feathers record mercury infiltrating Antarctica’s food web By Gayoung Lee edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Gentoo penguins have a wide geographic range, making them good targets for follow-up research. Join Our Community of Science Lovers! When Philip Sontag first visited Antarctica as a Ph.D. student,…
Super Bowl: Jason Kelce Reacts to Claim He Didn’t Support Travis Kelce
Jason Kelce was overcome with emotion as he recalled the backlash he received from fans who believed he was cheering against his brother Travis Kelce during the Super Bowl. Jason Kelce has nothing but brotherly love for Travis Kelce. The They Call It Late Night host became emotional as he made it clear that he…
In Trump’s Cross Hairs Over Taking Gazans, Egypt and Jordan Try Diversion
Trump Administration The U.S. president has repeatedly asked the two Mideast allies to take in two million Palestinians from Gaza. Both Egypt and Jordan have been trying to offer Mr. Trump help in other ways. By Vivian Yee and Alissa J. Rubin Finding themselves in the fickle cross hairs of President Trump, Jordan and Egypt…
How I exposed MI5’s lie about its violent abusive agent
Spies lie, but they are not meant to get caught. On a wet Friday evening in December, three MI5 lawyers sat in a room at the BBC’s headquarters in London. On the other side of the table were the BBC’s lawyers and me. No MI5 officers were present, after we refused a request for the…
Arrests of US citizens for cartel-related crimes in Mexico soared under Amlo
Sixfold rise from days of Peña Nieto suggests Americans have increasingly become pawns for drug gangs, study finds The number of Americans arrested in Mexico for offenses related to organized crime increased by 457% – or nearly sixfold – during the 2018-24 presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador compared with his predecessor, according to a…
Tom Brady Jokes About Bill Belichick and Girlfriend Jordon Hudson
Tom Brady reacted to a question about former NFL coach Bill Belichick’s relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson, which hinted at the six-time Super Bowl-winner’s 48-year age gap. Tom Brady needs to call a timeout. The seven-time Super Bowl champ—who served as a commentator during the big game Feb. 9 between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas…
Venezuelan Migrant Sent to Guantánamo Bay Is ‘Not a Criminal,’ Family Pleads
Luis Alberto Castillo arrived in the United States so that he could “give everything to his son,” said his sister. Then, while scrolling on TikTok, she found out he was headed to Guantánamo. Luis Alberto CastilloYajaira Castillo By Julie Turkewitz and Hamed Aleaziz Julie Turkewitz reported from Bogotá, Colombia, and Hamed Aleaziz from Washington. Luis…
Trump funding freeze could leave communities on their own as climate threats grow
By Michael Copley Removing lead paint and pipes. Cleaning up contaminated land. Monitoring pollution. Making houses more energy efficient. Installing solar panels in low-income neighborhoods. Those are some of the projects across the country that were cut off from federal funding when the Trump administration paused spending approved earlier by Congress. The sweeping move is…
Earth’s Inner Core Is Changing Shape
Earth’s Mysterious Inner Core Is Changing Shape Earth’s core is transforming, which could affect the length of our 24-hour day, Earth’s magnetic field, and more By Alexandra Witze & Nature magazine Earth’s inner core was long considered to be completely solid, but research has shown that it can be deformed. Join Our Community of Science…
MI5 lied to courts to protect neo-Nazi spy, after BBC revealed violent abuse
MI5 lied to three courts while defending its handling of a misogynistic neo-Nazi state agent who attacked his girlfriend with a machete, the BBC can reveal. Arguing for secrecy, the Security Service told judges it had stuck to its policy of not confirming or denying informants’ identities. In fact, MI5 had disclosed the man’s status…
Hitch Director Reveals Will Smith Feud 20 Years Later
Will Smith’s 2005 romantic comedy Hitch faced some behind-the-scenes drama, according to the film’s director Andy Tennant, who also revealed that the actor is working on a sequel without him. Will Smith’s foray into romantic comedies didn’t quite go off without a hitch. Two decades after the actor starred opposite Eva Mendes in the 2005…
Efforts to fight foreign influence and protect elections in question under Trump
Jenna McLaughlin The new Trump administration is moving quickly to roll back long-standing work to counter foreign influence in U.S. elections, work that began in the first Trump term after revelations about the extent and ambition of Russia’s efforts to sway the 2016 election. Staffers working on countering foreign mis- and disinformation as well as…
Schools tell BBC about ‘astronomical’ bills as 25-year repair contract heads into meltdown
Schools across a city are caught up in an increasingly bitter row over repairs, with some telling the BBC they’ve had to fight to get work done while paying “astronomical” charges over 25 years. The Stoke-on-Trent schools are all locked into a multi-million-pound Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract, meaning they pay a company to keep…
Trump Spending Freeze on Rural Electric Co-ops Could Raise Energy Costs
Trump Spending Freeze on Rural Electric Co-ops Could Raise Energy Costs Billions of dollars for rural electric cooperatives are stuck in limbo as the Department of Agriculture continues the Trump administration’s funding freeze, despite federal court orders By Adam Aton & E&E News Electric co-ops have seen their funding frozen as the Trump administration halts…
Bo-Kaap: the candy-coloured corner of Cape Town facing tourism v heritage dilemma
Some locals in picturesque district of Bo-Kaap are fed up with influx of visitors, and worry about impact of gentrification After Table Mountain, the candy-coloured houses of Bo-Kaap have become one of Cape Town’s most iconic images, a key stop in any tourist’s visit to the South African city and a must-have for Instagram feeds.…
Can European ‘Boots on the Ground’ Help Protect Ukraine’s Security?
Russia-Ukraine War Deterring Russia from re-invading Ukraine, once this war ends, could require 150,000 troops and American help with air cover, intelligence and missile defense, experts say. By Steven Erlanger Steven Erlanger writes about European diplomacy. He reported this story in Washington, Paris, London and Berlin. President Trump has vowed to end the fighting in…
Israel says Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not free hostages by Saturday
Israel’s prime minister has warned Hamas it will end the ceasefire in Gaza and resume intense fighting if the Palestinian group “does not return our hostages by Saturday noon”. Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered Israeli forces to amass inside and around Gaza in response to Hamas’s announcement that it was postponing freeing more hostages…
Why Private Forecasting Companies Can’t Replace the National Weather Service
Why Private Forecasting Companies Can’t Replace the National Weather Service NOAA and the NWS provide public weather data that private companies cannot recreate By Christine Wiedinmyer, Kari Bowen & The Conversation US A senior hurricane specialist works at the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. The following essay is reprinted with permission from…
‘Each of us is afraid’: Guinea’s junta leader tightens grip as opposition lies low
Mamady Doumbouya has led the country since a 2021 coup. Some fear he has no intention of relinquishing power Across Guinea’s capital, Conakry, billboards and posters proclaim the people’s loyalty to the vision of Mamady Doumbouya, the general who has led the west African country since a coup in September 2021. The iconography is omnipresent.…
Federal Reserve’s Jerome Powell says there’s no need to rush on interest rate cuts
Scott Horsley Don’t expect interest rates to fall any time soon. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told a Senate Committee Tuesday that with a strong job market and with inflation still elevated, he and his colleagues “do not need to be in a hurry” to cut interest rates. Powell also fielded questions about President Trump’s…
Netanyahu Says Fighting in Gaza Will Resume if Hostages Are Not Freed Saturday
Middle East Tensions Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said the cease-fire would end if Hamas did not release captives held in Gaza. But he did not say how many hostages had to be freed. By Lara Jakes Reporting from Jerusalem Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel warned Hamas on Tuesday that if hostages were…
Travis Kelce Skipped Chiefs’ After-Party Following Super Bowl Loss
Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce skipped his team’s after-party following his Super Bowl LIX loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. Travis Kelce couldn’t do it with a broken heart. After the Kansas City Chiefs were defeated by Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles in the Feb. 9 Super Bowl, the tight end sat out his…
Gaza Cease-Fire Deal Hangs in the Balance Ahead of Trump’s Meeting With Jordan’s King
Trump Administration Hamas and President Trump have threatened to upend the cease-fire. Analysts say those words could prove hollow, but the deal still may not last beyond early March. By Patrick Kingsley and Ronen Bergman The future of the cease-fire in Gaza, along with the territory’s long-term fate, hung in the balance on Tuesday as…
Campaigner for migrants in Libya targeted in spyware attack
Exclusive: Italy-based David Yambio, a critic of Meloni government, was told of attempt to compromise his phone An Italy-based human rights activist whose work supports the international criminal court in providing evidence about cases of abuse suffered by migrants and refugees held in Libyan detention camps and prisons has revealed that Apple informed him his…
tWich’s Mom Details Estrangement From Grandkids After His Death
Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ mother Connie Boss Alexander and his brother Dre Rose shared the events that led to their estrangement from his and Allison Holker’s children Maddox, Zaia and Wesley. Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ mother wants to repair her relationship with her grandchildren. More than two years after the Ellen DeGeneres Show producer’s death by suicide…
Policing in ‘hopeless position’ after court ruling on vetting, Met chief says
Policing has been left in a “hopeless position”, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said, after the High Court ruled the force could not dismiss officers by removing their vetting clearance. The ruling came after Sgt Lino Di Maria mounted a legal challenge after having his vetting removed following sexual assault allegations, which he denied and…
Firearm Forensics is Still Troubled by Systemic Failure
Opinion Firearm Forensics Is Still Troubled by Systemic Failure Three forensic examiners at the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory last year mistakenly concluded that cartridge cases from a crime scene matched a specific firearm. The error exposes systemic flaws that risk wrongful convictions By Nicholas Scurich edited by Megha Satyanarayana & Dan Vergano Forensics training…
John Bolton on expanding into Greenland
By Ashley Brown , Juana Summers , Matt Ozug There seems to be little that President Trump and one of his first-term national security advisers, John Bolton, agree on publicly these days — but one issue may be whether the U.S. should acquire Greenland from Denmark. Making Greenland an American territory or commonwealth, in Bolton’s…
Vance to attend international AI and security summits as Ukraine war and tariffs loom
By Willem Marx U.S. Vice President JD Vance has arrived in France as part of a European trip that will focus the new Trump administration’s attention on the regulation of artificial intelligence and the war in Ukraine, as Vance plans meetings with world leaders ranging from French President Emmanuel Macron to Indian Prime Minister Narendra…
Why Kid Rock Stormed Offstage at Jon Bon Jovi’s Nashville Bar
Kid Rock abruptly cut off a performance alongside Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan in Nashville after scolding the crowd for not clapping along to the music. Kid Rock isn’t afraid to clap back. The “All Summer Long” singer joined Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan onstage as the keyboardist celebrated his 63rd birthday Feb.…
Trump administration targets Education Department research arm in latest cuts
By Jonaki Mehta , Cory Turner An independent research arm within the U.S. Department of Education is being all but shut down, employees of the department say. The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is responsible for gathering and disseminating data on a wide range of topics, including research-backed teaching practices and the state of U.S.…
Monday briefing: Why the brutal fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo could spiral into wider war
Good morning. Over the weekend, the presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda – Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame – were among those who took part in a regional summit aimed at ending the resurgent violence in eastern DRC. The summit ended with a call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.…
Hamas blames Israel as it postpones hostage release
A spokesman for the armed wing of Hamas says the group is postponing the next scheduled release of Israeli hostages, blaming what he says are Israeli violations of the ceasefire deal. Three hostages held in Gaza are due to be freed on Saturday in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Israel’s Defence Minister…
NIH Funding Cuts Would Hobble U.S. Medical Research, Insider Says
NIH Funding Cuts Would Hobble U.S. Medical Research, Insider Says “Laboratories would literally go dark,” says a medical research insider, if Trump administration cuts to NIH funding go through. Patients will suffer from lost medical advances, he tells Scientific American By Dan Vergano edited by Jeanna Bryner National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus, Bethesda, Maryland.…
Trump Issues Cease-Fire Ultimatum After Hamas Postpones Release of Israeli Hostages
Middle East Tensions Stalling the next release of hostages from the Gaza Strip, scheduled for the coming weekend, raises new challenges for the already tenuous six-week truce and chances for a lasting end to the war. By Lara JakesRonen BergmanAdam Rasgon and Johnatan Reiss Lara Jakes reported from Jerusalem, and Johnatan Reiss from Tel Aviv.…
Mötley Crüe Singer Vince Neil’s Plane Crashes Without Him on Board
A jet owned by Mötley Crüe rocker Vince Neil collided with a parked plane in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Feb. 10, leaving one person dead. The singer was not on board. One person has died in an Arizona plane crash. A jet owned by musician Vince Neil collided with a parked plane while trying to land…
Trump Team Looks to Drastically Cut NOAA Staff and Budget
Trump Team Looks to Drastically Cut Weather and Climate Agency Mass layoffs at the U.S. climate and weather agency would have a ripple effect across the economy, say former NOAA officials By Scott Waldman & E&E News The NOAA Okeanos Explorer arriving in San Francisco, Calif. The ship is outfitted with tools needed to access…
What DeepSeek’s Success Tells Us About China’s Ability to Nurture Talent
China produces a vast number of STEM graduates, but it hasn’t been known for innovation. Cultural and political factors may help explain why. By Vivian Wang Reporting from Beijing To many Chinese, DeepSeek’s success is a victory for China’s education system, proof that it equals that of the United States or has even surpassed it.…
The 11 Best Candles to Get Your Home Smelling Like Fresh Laundry
Get that fresh and clean linen scent with these top-rated candles. Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Learn more. When it comes to chores, laundry is usually last on my list. However, when it comes to my favorite fragrance, fresh…
Trump’s ban on gender-affirming care for young people puts hospitals in a bind
Selena Simmons-Duffin Kristen Chapman had already moved her family from Tennessee to Virginia to try to find a state that would be more welcoming to her transgender daughter, Willow. After months waiting for an appointment at the gender-affirming care clinic at VCU Health in Richmond, Willow had one on the calendar on Jan. 29. President…
MP behind assisted dying bill suggests scrapping High Court approval
Assisted dying cases would no longer have to be signed off by the High Court under changes suggested by the bill’s supporters. The proposed law currently says a High Court judge must check each person is eligible and has not been coerced into making the decision to die. But BBC News has been told Kim…
Lebanon’s Emigrants Return to a Battered Homeland After Israel-Hezbollah War
Middle East Tensions Some who left the country in successive waves of emigration have felt drawn back to aid recovery efforts after the bloody and destructive war between Israel and Hezbollah. Some who left the country in successive waves of emigration have felt drawn back to aid recovery efforts after the bloody and destructive war…
Men Are More Prepared for Fatherhood Than We Think
Opinion The Science of ParentingMondays Men Are More Prepared for Fatherhood Than We Think By James K. Rilling edited by Megha Satyanarayana Cut through the claims: Get email alerts for this weekly column I like to tell my undergraduates that hormones predispose organisms, including people, to shift their energy among different life goals. When we…
Ozzy Osbourne Shares He Can No Longer Walk Amid Parkinson’s Battle
Ozzy Osbourne gave an update on his physical condition amid his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease as he prepares for his final performance with Black Sabbath. Ozzy Osbourne is sharing an emotional update on his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Five years after sharing his diagnosis, the Black Sabbath rocker—who underwent a “major operation” two years…
Father jailed for murdering daughter he claimed died in a play-fight
A father has been jailed for at least 15 years for murdering his daughter after the jury rejected his claim he had killed her in a play-fight. Scarlett Vickers, 14, bled to death at her home in Darlington after being stabbed deep in the chest with a kitchen knife by her father Simon Vickers, 50,…
Fears grow for health of social media influencer arrested on live TV in Sierra Leone
Hawa Hunt’s detention a month ago was politically motivated, say daughter and rights groups, who also raise concerns about her treatment in jail Fears are mounting over the mental and physical health of a social media influencer who has been in prison in Sierra Leone for more than a month after she was arrested on…
Trump says he will impose a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel imports
Scott Horsley President Trump says he plans to announce a 25% tax on all imported steel and aluminum, extending a trade battle he launched during his first term in the White House. The move has the potential to give a helping hand to domestic steel and aluminum makers, while also raising costs for businesses and…
Second Labour MP apologises over WhatsApp comments
Burnley MP Oliver Ryan said in a statement that comments he made in the group “were completely unacceptable” and he regretted “not speaking out at the time”. Fellow MP Gwynne was sacked as health minister on Saturday after the Mail on Sunday reported he sent a string of offensive and abusive messages in the WhatsApp…
Chinese counter-tariffs to kick in as Trump threatens more to come
John Ruwitch BEIJING — Retaliatory Chinese tariffs on a range of U.S. products are due to take effect on Monday, as trade friction between the two rivals heated up with no end in sight. The tariffs from China range from 10% to 15% and are applied to crude oil, liquefied natural gas, farm machinery and…
‘Dad, I Came Back Alive!’ Israeli Hostages Start to Give Glimpses of Ordeal.
Middle East Tensions Hostages freed before Saturday’s exchange have expressed relief and joy, while descriptions of the torment they endured are trickling out. By Isabel Kershner Reporting from Jerusalem Doron Steinbrecher vowed that she would never wear pink again when she made her first public comments in a video after being freed from more than…
Super Bowl 2025: Travis Kelce Reacts to Kansas City Chiefs’ Loss
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce shared an emotional moment with reporters after losing against the Philadelphia Eagles at the 2025 Super Bowl Feb. 9. Travis Kelce couldn’t fight the alchemy the Philadelphia Eagles brought to the Super Bowl. After the Kansas City Chiefs were bested by the Eagles at Caesars Superdome in New…
The best (and worst) Super Bowl commercials this year
Eric Deggans In an unsettled time, the most effective commercial messages are all about reassurance, togetherness and entertainment. Your 2025 Super Bowl guide: How to watch, who’s performing at halftime and what’s at stake Nostalgia. Comedy. Celebrities. Patriotism. And poignant humanism. With ad space topping out at $8 million per 30 seconds for time in a…
What Is Journavx, the New Opioid-Free Painkiller from Vertex?
What Is Journavx, the New Opioid-Free Painkiller from Vertex? The nonaddictive painkiller suzetrigine (Journavx) is as effective for acute pain as a common opioid treatment By Allison Parshall edited by Dean Visser Join Our Community of Science Lovers! For the first time in 25 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new…