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 […]
Charities reeling from USAid freeze warn of ‘life or death’ effects
Abrupt order has done ‘serious damage’, say experts, with supply chains halted, HIV clinics struggling to source drugs and refugee camps facing loss of vital services Clinics in Uganda are scrambling to find new sources for vital HIV drugs, aid workers in Bangladesh fear refugee camp infrastructure will crumble, and mobile health units may have…
Expressive Faces Make People More Likable
Opinion Expressive Faces Make People More Likable Facial expressions do far more than just broadcast emotions By Eithne Kavanagh, Jamie Whitehouse & Bridget Waller edited by Daisy Yuhas A skilled card player—eyes hidden by dark shades and features kept as still as possible—looks at their hand. Any small giveaway that they’re bluffing or holding great…
Woman arrested for second time over girls’ school crash deaths
The driver of a car that crashed into a school tea party, killing two eight-year-old girls, has been rearrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Claire Freemantle, 48, previously expressed her “deepest sorrow” and said she had “no recollection of what took place” after the deaths of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau in…
Allison Holker Details “Being Taken Advantage of” as a Teenager
Allison Holker recently reflected on her childhood struggles, detailing her experiences in her memoir. Allison Holker is reflecting on a painful past experience. The widow of Stephen “tWitch” Boss—who died by suicide in December 2022—is opening up about her personal life in her upcoming memoir This Far. In addition to detailing her late husband’s private…
DeepSeek a wake-up call for US tech firms, Trump says
US President Donald Trump has called the rise of Chinese company DeepSeek “a wake-up call” for the US tech industry, after the emergence of its artificial intelligence (AI) model triggered shockwaves on Wall Street. Shares in major tech firms such as Nvidia fell sharply, with the chip giant losing almost $600bn (£482bn) in market value.…
Trump signs executive order taking aim at DEI programs in the military
By Ayana Archie President Trump signed an executive order Monday ending diversity programs in the nation’s military. The directive was among a series of executive orders the White House released Monday night that sought to reshape the country’s armed forces. Trump also signed executive orders tasking Pentagon officials with reviewing its policy on transgender troops…
One of Europe’s most-wanted drug traffickers living in Sierra Leone, say Dutch prosecutors
Jos Leijdekkers, reportedly the son-in-law of African country’s president, was sentenced to 24 years in prison One of Europe’s most wanted men, the Dutch crime boss Jos Leijdekkers, is hiding out in Sierra Leone, Dutch prosecutors have said. The statement came after Dutch media published footage that appeared to show the violent drug trafficker at…
Uber Drivers Helped Evacuate L.A. during Wildfires—But Were Left Unprotected
Uber Drivers Helped Evacuate L.A.—But Were Left Unprotected Drivers for ride-hailing apps helped evacuate people during the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. But by classifying such workers as contractors, California’s Proposition 22 excludes them from state rules that require companies to protect employees from workplace exposure to smoke By Ariel Wittenberg & E&E…
Bachelor Grant Ellis Teases “Tough” Final Rose Ceremony
As The Bachelor’s Grant Ellis embarks on his journey to find true love, the reality star exclusively told E! News his final decision was far from easy. This story contains spoilers from the Jan. 27 episode of The Bachelor. There’s no easy way to say goodbye—just ask Grant Ellis. And the Bachelor star had to do…
China’s Tibet Dam Project Has Its Neighbors Worried
The hydropower dam, in quake-prone Tibet, is set to be the world’s biggest. But China has said little about the project, which could affect nearby countries. By Tiffany MayIsabelle Qian and Suhasini Raj Step aside, Three Gorges Dam. China’s latest colossal infrastructure project, if completed, will be the world’s largest hydropower dam, high up in…
Home secretary to reject call to widen extremism definition
The government is set to reject internal advice to widen the definition of extremism to include potentially violent environmentalists, the far left, conspiracy theorists and men prejudiced against women. The BBC has been told Home Secretary Yvette Cooper does not agree with the central findings of a rapid “sprint” report she commissioned last year, and…
Rebels Backed by Rwanda Announce Capture of Key City in Eastern Congo
The M23 militia, funded and directed by Rwanda, said it had seized the city of Goma, terrifying its people, many of whom sought shelter there after fleeing the rebel advance. By Caleb Kabanda and Ruth Maclean Photographs by Guerchom Ndebo Caleb Kabanda reported from Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ruth Maclean from Dakar, Senegal.…
Miley Cyrus Reflects on Her “Mistakes” in Life
Grammy winner Miley Cyrus told The Last Showgirl’s Pamela Anderson that she does not look back on her past controversies in the same way that critics might: “I would not go back and change anything.” Miley Cyrus knows that life is all about the climb. The Disney Channel alum recently reflected on the “detours” she’s…
Why DeepSeek’s AI Model Just Became the Top-Rated App in the U.S.
Why DeepSeek’s AI Model Just Became the Top-Rated App in the U.S. By Stephanie Pappas edited by Jeanna Bryner DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence assistant made big waves Monday, becoming the top-rated app in the Apple Store and sending tech stocks into a downward tumble. What’s all the fuss about? The Chinese start-up, DeepSeek, surprised the tech…
Justice Department moves to fire at least 12 officials who investigated Trump
By Ryan Lucas , Carrie Johnson The acting attorney general moved on Monday to fire several Justice Department officials who worked on the federal criminal investigations into President Donald Trump, according to two department officials familiar with the matter. In termination letters sent to more than a dozen officials, acting Attorney General James McHenry wrote…
Rwandan-backed rebels M23 claim capture of eastern DRC city Goma
Fighters enter city on border with Rwanda after lightning advance, raising risk of broader regional war Fighters from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group claim to have taken the eastern city of Goma after a lightning advance in recent weeks that has forced thousands from their homes and risked reigniting a…
At Auschwitz, a Solemn Ceremony at a Time of Rising Nationalism
World leaders and a dwindling group of survivors joined in a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp by the Red Army. transcript Translator: “Let’s take seriously what the enemies of democracy preach. We must avoid the mistake of the 1930s, when the world failed to take seriously…
France seeks UN resolution naming Rwanda as backer of M23 rebels in DRC
France is seeking western support for a UN security council resolution that names Rwanda as being behind the M23 rebel group attacks inside the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the surprise weekend seizure of parts of Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC. UN officials said as many as 4,000 Rwandan troops were escorting…
How districts are responding after Trump cleared the way for immigration arrests at schools
From By Robin Young , Hafsa Quraishi President Donald Trump has put an end to a longstanding policy that restricted federal agents from making immigration arrests at sensitive locations like churches, hospitals and schools. The Migration Policy Institute estimates 733,000 school-aged children live in the United States without legal status. Chalkbeat reporter Kalyn Belsha says…
Survivors of Auschwitz deliver warning from history as memories die out
Their numbers are dwindling but the voices of the Auschwitz survivors remain powerful. “We were stripped of all humanity,” said Leon Weintraub, 99, the oldest of four who spoke beside the notorious Death Gate at the Birkenau extermination camp. World leaders and European royalty rubbed shoulders with 56 survivors of Hitler’s genocide of European Jews…
Refugee’s justice hopes ‘crushed’ after Italy releases Libya war crimes suspect
David Yambio says Rome ‘has blood on its hands’ after freeing police chief he alleges beat him in Tripoli prison A man who says he experienced abuses at a notorious prison in Tripoli at the hands of the head of Libya’s judicial police, Osama Najim, has said Italy has “crushed” his hopes for justice by…
Taylor Swift, Brittany Mahomes Reunite on the Field After Chiefs Win
Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes celebrated on the field as their men Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC Championship and secured their spot in Super Bowl LIX. Taylor Swift and Brittnay Mahomes’ support for their men is always in style. As Travis Kelce, who has been dating the Grammy…
Glasgow child sex abuse gang given life sentences
The seven members of one of Scotland’s biggest child sex abuse rings have been given life-long sentences and warned that they may never be released. Three victims under the age of 13 were subjected to horrific sexual abuse and violence in a Glasgow drug den dubbed “the beastie house” over a seven-year period. Police said…
AI Is Too Unpredictable to Behave According to Human Goals
Opinion AI Is Too Unpredictable to Behave According to Human Goals AI “alignment” is a buzzword, not a feasible safety goal By Marcus Arvan edited by Ben Guarino In late 2022 large-language-model AI arrived in public, and within months they began misbehaving. Most famously, Microsoft’s “Sydney” chatbot threatened to kill an Australian philosophy professor, unleash…
A plan to save TikTok. And, Palestinians return to northern Gaza
By Brittney Melton here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza began walking home today for the first time in over a year. The long trek home to the devastated areas of…
Cease-Fires in Gaza and Lebanon Will Most Likely Hold for Now, Analysts Say
Middle East Tensions News Analysis Bloodshed over the weekend highlighted the brittleness of the cease-fires in both places. Still, Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah each have reasons to postpone a new escalation, at least for a few weeks. By Patrick Kingsley Reporting from Jerusalem The cease-fires in Gaza and Lebanon will most likely hold for now,…
Auschwitz holds observances on the 80th anniversary of the death camp’s liberation
By The Associated Press OSWIECIM, Poland — The 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by Soviet troops is being marked on Monday at the site of the former death camp, a ceremony that is widely being treated as the last major observance that any notable number of survivors will be able to attend. Elderly…
Why Sister Wives’ Janelle Brown Says She Was “Too Trusting” of Ex Kody
Not gonna lie: Sister Wives star Janelle Brown isn’t convinced she should have put her full trust in former husband Kody Brown, admitting on the Jan. 26 episode she “was really dumb” to agree to this. When it comes to Coyote Pass—their 14-acre Arizona property—Sister Wives star Janelle Brown can’t help but wonder if ex…
Bulgarian police ‘blocked rescue’ of teenage migrants who froze to death
Report by rights groups alleges border police refused to rescue boys and blocked activists’ efforts to save them Bulgarian authorities have been accused of ignoring emergency calls and obstructing efforts to rescue three Egyptian teenage boys, who later died in sub-zero temperatures near the Bulgarian-Turkish border in late December. A dossier of evidence compiled by…
Belarus’s Strong-Arm Leader, Aleksandr Lukashenko, Cruises to Re-election
Russia-Ukraine War Europe’s longest-serving leader won re-election in a contest widely believe to have been rigged. The result cements the power of a leader whose country is considered Russia’s staunchest ally. By Andrew Higgins Europe’s longest-serving leader, President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko of Belarus, cruised to his seventh election victory in a row on Sunday in…
The difficult question about Auschwitz that remains unanswered
January 27 was formally designated Holocaust Memorial Day by a resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2005. But how we remember the Holocaust has evolved over the decades and even now – some 80 years on – it is a story of remembrance that is still unfinished. “Dear boy,” the short…
Trump’s Revocation of Environmental Justice Order Will Hurt Marginalized Communities
Trump Environment Order Will Leave ‘Vulnerable Communities in the Shadows’ President Trump has revoked a 1994 directive that required agencies to protect minority or low-income areas from pollution and health hazards By Thomas Frank, Jean Chemnick & E&E News A man walks along an overpass above the Cross Bronx Expressway, a notorious stretch of highway…
Chiefs to face Eagles at the Super Bowl for the second time in three years
Juliana Kim Just two years after the Kansas City Chiefs edged out the Philadelphia Eagles in a thrilling Super Bowl, these two football powerhouses will face off once again on the championship stage. The Chiefs and the Eagles — both of whom were hosting — dominated against their visitors during the playoffs on Sunday, decisively…
Six hostages to be freed and Gazans to be allowed north – Israel
Hamas will release six hostages this week and Israel will allow Gazans to return to homes in the north from Monday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says. The hostages include Arbel Yehud – the civilian at the centre of a row which has led to Israel delaying the return of Gazans to northern Gaza. Hamas…
The Latest on Bird Flu in Humans, Cats and Chickens
The Latest on Bird Flu in Humans, Cats and Chickens H5N1 avian influenza continues to spread amid commercial and backyard poultry, and additional cases have been reported in domestic cats By Meghan Bartels edited by Tanya Lewis Join Our Community of Science Lovers! As the bird flu outbreak affecting poultry, dairy cows and humans in…
Sister Wives’ Janelle Reveals Ex Kody Spent “Lots” of Their Money
A penny for Sister Wives star Janelle Brown’s thoughts? Kody Brown’s ex wife gave her take on the patriarch’s approach to the family’s finances during the TLC series’ Jan. 26 episode. More than two years after announcing her split from Kody Brown, Sister Wives star Janelle Brown is giving her two cents on the family’s…
Trump Alarms Denmark in an Icy Exchange Over Greenland
Trump Administration Trump Administration Trump Administration President Trump told Denmark’s leader he wanted to take over Greenland, European officials say. Denmark has asked its E.U. allies not to inflame the situation until Mr. Trump’s intentions are clearer. By Steven Erlanger and Jeanna Smialek Steven Erlanger reported from Berlin and Jeanna Smialek from Brussels. It was…
China’s top diplomat to visit UK in February for talks with David Lammy
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, is due to visit the UK next month for talks with the British foreign secretary, David Lammy, the Guardian has learned. The Foreign Office (FCDO) is drawing up plans to host the Chinese foreign minister in mid-February, according to three people briefed on the plans. The FCDO declined to comment.…
Trump Hits Colombia With Tariffs in Feud Over Military Deportation Flights
Trump Administration Gustavo Petro said the United States should not treat Colombian migrants as criminals and that he had already turned away U.S. military flights carrying deportees. By Genevieve GlatskySimon Romero and Annie Correal Genevieve Glatsky reported from Bogotá, Colombia, and Simon Romero and Annie Correal from Mexico City. Colombia refused to accept U.S. military…
Trump wants neighbours to take in Palestinians to ‘clean out’ Gaza
US President Donald Trump has said he wants Egypt and Jordan to take in Palestinians from Gaza. Trump said he had made the request to Jordan’s King Abdullah and planned to ask Egypt’s president on Sunday, too. Describing Gaza as a “demolition site”, Trump said: “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people,…
Community Science Initiatives You Can Do on a Trip to the Outdoors
Turning Outdoor Enthusiasts into Community Scientists The founder of Adventure Scientists explains how community science is the ultimate civic engagement By Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi & Kelso Harper Rachel Feltman: If you spend a lot of time on the Internet, you’ve probably seen the phrase “go touch grass” at least once. It might not always…
Taylor Swift Supports Travis Kelce in Style at AFC Championship Game
Taylor Swift made her return to the suites inside Arrowhead Stadium to watch Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Buffalo Bills for a chance to clinch a spot in the Super Bowl. Taylor Swift isn’t missing a chance to cheer on her guy on the Chiefs. The Grammy winner returned…
Israeli troops fire on displaced Palestinians hoping to return to homes, killing 2
By Willem Marx Israeli troops have blocked thousands of displaced Palestinians from traveling back to their homes in the northern parts of the Gaza Strip, amid Israeli accusations that Hamas had breached the ceasefire deal by delaying the release of specific hostages. Israeli soldiers fired on the large crowds of Gaza residents hoping to return…
Jamaican city gripped by violence after police shooting of gang boss
Spanish Town brought to standstill amid gunfire on streets after police kill Othneil ‘Thickman’ Lobban Schools and businesses in a Jamaican city have been closed and taxis and buses stopped running after the police shooting of a powerful gang boss prompted a violent backlash. Gunfire echoed throughout Spanish Town on Thursday and at least one…
Tension and defiance in Panama after Trump threatens to ‘take back’ canal
Diplomatic frenzy and rattled nerves in republic as officials and former president reject US president’s comments From a modern control room high above the canal expansion – overlooking the Cocolí locks, then lakes, rainforest canopy and, eventually, the Atlantic ocean – it barely registers that the era of gunboat diplomacy is returning to the Panama…
Remembering the Lives Lost in the Devastating Kobe Bryant Crash
Not even four weeks into January, we were hit with the news we all assumed would be among the worst we’d hear in 2020. And even after more than a year of loss and grief, isolation and anxiety, the events of Jan. 26, 2020, still feel overwhelmingly heartbreaking. The devastation came in waves on that Sunday morning 24 months…
Are Saturn’s Rings Vanishing? That Depends on Your Point of View
The UniverseFridays Saturn’s Rings Are Disappearing—But They’ll Be Back This year, from Earth’s perspective, Saturn’s rings will appear nearly edge on, making them almost invisible By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings Saturn’s rings, imaged here by NASA’s Cassini orbiter, are one of the solar system’s most reliably spectacular sights. But sometimes they seem to…
Chancellor hints at support for third runway at Heathrow
The chancellor has hinted the government would support a third runway at Heathrow Airport, saying “sustainable aviation and economic growth go hand in hand”. Rachel Reeves told the BBC she would not comment on “speculation” and the government would set out its plans in due course. However, she said a third runway at Heathrow “will…
How did the newt cross the road? With the help of the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade!
By Stephanie O’Neill Snout to tail, they’re about six inches long, a rich reddish brown on top with a bright orange underbelly. “They have cute little eyes that kind of bug out. They kind of look like a cartoon character,” Gale says. But they’re very slow movers and for this otherwise healthy population of newts…
A Storm, a Spill and a Disaster for the Black Sea’s Beaches
Vast stretches of Russian coast have been tarred by heavy fuel oil from two freighters that foundered in a storm. By Nataliya Vasilyeva Reporting from Istanbul When a 28-year-old volunteer named Nikolai stepped onto a sandy beach on Russia’s Black Sea coast in a hazmat suit just before New Year’s Eve, he was so overwhelmed…
International peacekeepers killed as fighting rages around eastern Congo’s key city
By The Associated Press GOMA, Congo — Fighting with M23 rebels in eastern Congo has left at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers dead, United Nations and army officials said Saturday. M23 has made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, encircling the eastern city of Goma, which has around 2 million people and is a…
Inside Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi’s Quiet New Life in England
Two years after her talk show ended, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi moved to the U.K. for a much-needed change of scene. Here’s how the longtime couple are settling into their new home. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi sightings are already a regular occurrence in the village they now call home. Last year,…
Dozens killed in hospital attack in Sudan’s besieged El Fasher, says WHO
About 70 people, including patients, believed to have been killed in attack blamed on rebel Rapid Support Forces About 70 people have been killed in an attack on the only functional hospital in the besieged city of El Fasher in Sudan, the head of the World Health Organization said on Sunday, the latest in a…
The Health Effects of FDA-Authorized ZYN Nicotine Pouches
What’s in ZYN, the FDA-Authorized Nicotine Pouch? Is It Harmful? ZYN, the popular brand of flavored nicotine pouches, recently earned FDA authorization for reducing smoking, but some questions linger. Experts explain the efficacy and potential health risks of nicotine pouches By Lauren J. Young edited by Dean Visser ZYN smokeless nicotine pouch containers for sale…
India, a Big Source of Illegal Migration, Hopes to Navigate the Trump Storm
Trump Administration Trump Administration Trump Administration Fear and uncertainty are rippling through India, which sends more undocumented migrants to the United States than any other country outside Latin America. A temple in the Mehsana district of the Indian state of Gujarat that was built with funding from villagers living abroad, including in the United States.…
Trump says Keir Starmer doing ‘very good job’
US President Donald Trump has said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has done a “very good job thus far” and that the pair have a “very good relationship”. Asked by the BBC on board Air Force One about his relationship with Sir Keir, Trump added that they would be having a call “over the next…
Dave Franco Reacts to Luigi Mangione Comparisons
Dave Franco shared his thoughts about the comparisons that have been made between his physical appearance and Luigi Mangione’s…notably by his own friends. After a shocking murder that captivated the nation, Dave Franco started receiving texts saying the same thing about him. His of his friends and acquaintances jokingly informed him he looks like Luigi…
Palestinians’ return on hold as Israel accuses Hamas of breaching truce deal
Thousands of displaced Palestinians have been prevented from returning to their homes in the north of the Gaza Strip, after Israel blocked a main road, accusing Hamas of breaching the terms of the ceasefire deal. The dispute came after Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers – and Israel freed 200 Palestinian prisoners. But the Israeli…
Los Angeles Fires Delay Release of New Fire Risk Maps
Los Angeles Fires Delay Release of New Fire Risk Maps Climate disasters such as the recent Los Angeles–area fires are making it harder to prepare for more climate disasters By Camille von Kaenel & E&E News In this long exposure photo, fire smolders on a hillside during the Lilac fire in unincorporated San Diego County,…
Myanmar Rebels Are Opening Colleges
By Richard C. Paddock Richard C. Paddock reported from Myanmar many times in the years before the country’s 2021 military coup. The medical student was showering near his dormitory in the jungles of eastern Myanmar when he heard military jets flying overhead. Wearing only undershorts, he raced to a bomb shelter. But there, he faced…