Madeline Halpert

Hayden Panettiere’s death at 36 has renewed attention on her history of addiction, mental-health problems and the pressures associated with growing up in Hollywood. Experts say child performers can face unusual risks because they gain early access to adult environments, drugs and alcohol while lacking appropriate protection, and may later struggle when fame and career opportunities disappear. Panettiere had publicly discussed substance abuse, postpartum depression, family pressures and her brother Jansen’s death, while her cause of death remains undetermined pending further tests. The article also examines how intense scrutiny, blurred boundaries with parents and self-medication can contribute to addiction among former child stars.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposed annual tax on expensive second homes has triggered a dispute over both its policy and its rollout. Nearly one million properties were included in a publicly released list, prompting concerns about privacy, security and stigmatization, while 17,000 people received tax notices. Supporters say the measure could raise about $500m annually for affordability programs and city services; opponents argue it could deter luxury-property investment and create fraud risks. A group of homeowners is suing to have the list unpublished, while examples from France, Vancouver and San Francisco show that similar taxes can generate revenue or reduce vacancies but often face strong legal and political opposition.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposed annual tax on expensive second homes has triggered controversy after the city published a list covering nearly one million properties, including homes associated with prominent and wealthy residents. Supporters say the surcharge could raise about $500m annually for services such as child care and faster buses, while opponents argue that the list creates security risks, stigmatizes homeowners and could discourage investment. A group of homeowners is suing to have the list removed, and the city's rollout drew criticism at a City Council hearing despite support from Governor Kathy Hochul. Comparable taxes in France, Vancouver and San Francisco have produced mixed results, offering both precedents and warnings for New York.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s decision to freeze her eggs and Karoline Leavitt’s departure as White House press secretary to spend more time with her children have prompted discussion about the pressures women face when combining demanding careers with motherhood. Interviews with Sara Jacobs, Michele Heisler and Seema Patel highlight the physical, financial and logistical challenges of fertility planning, parenting and professional advancement. The United States offers less access to paid family leave than other industrialised nations, while women are having children later or choosing not to have them. The experiences described point to the importance of flexible work, affordable childcare, equal parenting responsibilities and stronger parental-leave policies.

Television presenter Savannah Guthrie has issued another emotional appeal to the people who abducted her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, asking them to reveal her location and “do the right thing.” Nancy disappeared from her home near Tucson, Arizona, on 31 January, and investigators believe she was taken against her will. Two apparently credible ransom notes were sent to the family and media: one demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin, while another claimed Nancy had died. The FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Department continue to investigate, but no suspect has been arrested and the authorities have not publicly confirmed the notes’ contents. Authorities previously released images of a masked, armed person who covered the home’s doorbell camera before the disappearance.

The United States has recorded 2,318 confirmed measles cases in 2026, surpassing the previous 35-year high of 2,289 cases recorded in 2025. Cases have risen amid declining vaccination rates and increased vaccine hesitancy, with outbreaks reported in states including Virginia, Pennsylvania and Utah and cases recorded in 45 states. The US may lose its measles-elimination status if continuous transmission persists for a year. Public-health experts have criticized Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr for mixed messaging and proposed changes to childhood immunisation policy, while vaccination coverage in some communities remains far below the roughly 95% needed for herd immunity.

Zohran Mamdani withdrew his earlier pledge to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu in New York, saying he lacks legal authority to enforce the International Criminal Court’s warrant. He urged the US federal government to join the ICC and act on the warrant instead. Donald Trump dismissed the idea of any arrest, defending Netanyahu and criticizing Iran. Israeli ambassador Danny Danon accused Mamdani of promoting Hamas propaganda. The ICC warrants for Netanyahu and a Hamas commander stem from alleged war crimes in Gaza amid shifting Democratic voter attitudes toward US support for Israel.

A judge in Idaho revoked bail for Andrea Shaw, who is charged with killing her 18‑month‑old twins, ruling she posed a threat to her newborn child. Prosecutors allege she suffocated the toddlers, while Shaw has blamed recent vaccinations for their deaths. She previously spoke to the anti‑vaccine group Children’s Health Defense and is part of a lawsuit challenging pediatric vaccine recommendations. Autopsy results have not yet been released, and prosecutors maintain the case concerns homicide rather than vaccines.

A federal judge ordered the release of more than $5 million in damages owed by Donald Trump to E Jean Carroll after he was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming her. The funds, deposited in a court‑controlled account during appeals, will now be released with interest. Trump sought to delay the payment while attempting to involve the Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case. His team denounced the lawsuits as politically motivated. Carroll’s claims stem from a mid‑1990s assault allegation and subsequent defamatory statements. Appeals courts have upheld multiple verdicts against Trump, including a separate $84 million defamation judgment.

Postmortem analysis found Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland had stage 1 chronic traumatic encephalopathy, offering context for challenges he faced before dying by suicide in 2025. Experts noted that CTE remains common among young athletes exposed to repeated head impacts and emphasized that current protections may not sufficiently reduce risk. Kneeland’s family highlighted the need for greater understanding of the struggles faced by athletes in high-contact sports.

Canada selected German firm TKMS to build a new 12‑submarine fleet as part of a rapid expansion of defence spending under Prime Minister Mark Carney. The move aims to strengthen Arctic security, address aging Victoria‑class submarines and bolster ties with Europe amid tensions with the US. The bid, developed with Norway, is described as low‑risk and Nato‑aligned. The decision enhances Canada’s credibility in meeting defence commitments, with experts saying the new fleet will significantly expand operational naval capacity.

E Jean Carroll asked a judge to order Donald Trump to pay nearly $5.8 million in damages after the US Supreme Court declined to review his appeal of a 2023 jury verdict finding him liable for sexually abusing and defaming her. Carroll’s lawyers argued Trump had exhausted delays across multiple court levels and cited his continued denials on Truth Social in new filings. A federal appeals court previously upheld the verdict, and Trump is also appealing a separate $84 million defamation judgment from 2024.

Carl Erik Rinsch received a two‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence after being convicted of federal fraud and money laundering for misusing $11 million provided by Netflix to complete a science‑fiction series. Prosecutors said he diverted the funds into personal investments, cryptocurrency, and luxury purchases, while failing to deliver the show. The court imposed supervised release and forfeitures, and Netflix executives testified that only one season had been approved. Rinsch apologized in court but claimed earlier that the situation stemmed from a misunderstanding during the pandemic.

Joe Biden sharply criticised Donald Trump at a Democratic fundraiser, calling him a “loser” and attacking his renovation projects in Washington, including plans for a White House ballroom and changes to the Reflecting Pool. Biden also condemned Trump’s defence of supporters involved in the 2021 Capitol riot and criticised an administration effort to compensate those claiming unfair treatment, a plan later blocked by a judge. Trump has not responded directly but has recently attacked Biden on social media. The remarks came two years after Biden’s poor 2024 debate performance, which led to calls for him to withdraw and Kamala Harris eventually replacing him in a race Trump won.