U.S. Top Stories

• Retirement panic as date set for Social Security to run out of cash
  February 17, 2026
  When the money runs out, checks do not stop – but they do shrink fast.
• Nicole Kidman, 58, being 'romantically pursued' by MGM Resorts chairman Paul Salem, 62, after Keith Urban split
  February 17, 2026
  The Oscar winner, 58, is reportedly being romantically pursued by the Chairman of the Board of MGM Resorts International Paul Salem, 62, according to TMZ.
• Bikini-clad Jessica Alba, 44, packs on the PDA with toyboy Danny Ramirez, 33, after finalizing divorce
  February 17, 2026
  The newly divorced mother-of-three is 11 years older than the Captain America: Brave New World action star, but they've been inseparable since their first sighting on July 14
• City with some of the highest property taxes in the US plans to cut them to help save housing market
  February 17, 2026
  The city's mayor unveils a plan to ease one of the heaviest property tax burdens in America – but not everyone is convinced it will fix the city's housing woes.
• Policy identify hockey shooter who killed two as Robert Dorgan and say suspect also used female name
  February 17, 2026
  Robert Dorgan, 56, fired at least a dozen shots in the stands at the Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket on Monday afternoon, killing two people before turning the gun on himself.
• This year's best photos announced in the Sony World Photography Awards
  February 17, 2026
  Now in its 19th year, the prestigious competition honours the most compelling single images captured over the past 12 months.
• Revealed: Why the Raiders 'wanted their new head coach to be like Tom Brady' before hiring Klint Kubiak
  February 17, 2026
  Legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady reportedly had precise criteria for what he was looking for in the Las Vegas Raiders' new head coach: Someone just like him.
• LA Olympics chief Casey Wasserman urged to step down by mayor Karen Bass amid Epstein files fallout
  February 17, 2026
  It recently emerged that the Hollywood mogul had exchanged flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell. Wasserman recently announced he is putting his talent agency up for sale.
• Anderson Cooper to leave CBS' 60 Minutes after two-decade run amid upheaval at network
  February 17, 2026
  Anderson Cooper is leaving 60 Minutes after nearly 20 years, choosing not to renew his CBS contract. He said the decision was driven by his desire to spend more time with his two young sons.
• White Lotus star ignores prompter and issues foul-mouthed rebuke of ICE at awards show
  February 17, 2026
  Natasha Rothwell shocked the Independent Spirit Awards when she ignored the teleprompter and delivered a blunt, profane rebuke of ICE live on stage at the 41st Film Independent Spirit Awards.
• Kelly Osbourne's new look sparks Hollywood whispers: Friends speak out about 'scary' in-person reality
  February 17, 2026
  It was Grammys night, and as the teary-eyed Osbourne clan watched the tribute to the late Ozzy, there was only one topic on everyone's lips.
• William and Kate 'won't miss' Beatrice and Eugenie: Royal insider reveals why Prince of Wales won't struggle to 'take the hard line' with his cousins
  February 17, 2026
  Speaking to the Daily Mail, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: 'It may fall to William to make a decision on the future of Beatrice and Eugenie.'

Top Science Stories

• Stay indoors advisory for thousands of Americans as toxins linked to heart attacks fill the air
  The National Weather Service and EPA have warned that conditions over a major US city have trapped airborne toxins near thousands of Americans.
• Forget Cupertino! Apple breaks tradition with 'special events' being held in London, New York and Shanghai where it's tipped to unveil the iPhone 17e
  Apple usually hosts its events at its futuristic Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California. But the tech giant is breaking tradition with its next event, which will take place in just a few weeks.
• X is DOWN: Elon Musk's social media platform crashes for thousands of users around the world
  According to Down Detector, the problems with Elon Musk's social media platform started at around 13:30 GMT, and are affecting users globally.
• Forget dolls and trucks! Scientist claims children should play with WHISKS and potato mashers to boost development
  When it comes to playtime, most parents turn to the toybox to keep their young children entertained. But giving them unusual objects could help boost development, research suggests.
• Where are all the aliens? As President Obama rules out Area 51, scientists reveal the best candidates for extraterrestrials – including inside our own solar system
  With Area 51 ruled out by President Obama, where might aliens really be hiding? Scientists have now revealed the best candidates.
• The ominous sign the Gulf Stream is nearing COLLAPSE: One of the ocean's saltiest regions has become 30% less salty – and it could wreak havoc on major circulation systems
  One of the ocean's saltiest regions has become 30 per cent less salty – sparking fears the Gulf Stream could be inching closer to a catastrophic collapse.
• Scientist gives himself brain damage by testing secret audio weapon on himself in attempt to disprove 'Havana Syndrome'
  A scientist in Norway gave himself brain damage after testing an experimental weapon designed to disprove the existence of 'Havana Syndrome'.
• Dating expert names the seemingly innocent 'five word phrase' that's a huge red flag at ANY relationship stage
  Leading Australian dating expert Louanne Ward, says five words can reveal far more about someone's mindset than you may have thought and are a sure sign of a relationship that was never built to last.
• The popular kids' toy that's banned on flights across Europe
  Many parents pack toys to keep their children entertained on flights and when away, but several airlines ban one specific popular item.
• You've been tying your shoelaces WRONG: Scientists say the 'around the tree' method is inefficient – but a simple alternative takes less than one second
  Have you been wasting precious time with the 'around the tree' method? Here's how to do the Ian Knot and shave seconds off your morning routine.
• Brush your teeth properly to prevent more than 50 health conditions including dementia and arthritis, expert says
  Brushing your teeth properly could help keep more than 50 health conditions including dementia, rheumatoid arthritis and Parkinson's at bay, according to experts.
• Cheap and tasty 'supersteaks' to be available within three years thanks to gene-editing technology, expert says
  Scientists have bred cows with 'elite genetics' that could see tastier steaks, burgers and mince on supermarket shelves in the UK in just three years.