JWST Sees Hints of an Atmosphere on a Potentially Habitable Exoplanet
Hints of Atmosphere on Earth-Sized Exoplanet Raise Hopes for Life A monumental sign of an atmosphere on TRAPPIST-1e could be the precursor to finally finding a living world around another star By Jonathan O’Callaghan edited by Lee Billings This artist’s concept shows the volatile red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 and its four most closely orbiting planets, […]
How to See Faster-Than-Light Motion
The UniverseFridays How to See Faster-Than-Light Motion Superluminal velocities are common but illusory By Phil Plait edited by Clara Moskowitz The light echo around the star V838 Monocerotis as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope in November 2005. Stay connected to The Universe: Get email alerts for this weekly column by Phil Plait When I […]
How Many Planets Orbit Our Nearest Neighboring Star?
New Instrument Checks on Proxima Centauri’s Planets Fresh results from near-infrared instruments foretell a bright future for finding life elsewhere in the Milky Way By Ivan Farkas edited by Lee Billings An artist’s impression of the Proxima Centauri system, with the planets Proxima b and Proxima d—the latter confirmed by the NIRPS planet-hunting instrument. Some […]
Starship’s 10th flight breaks streak of bad luck
Nell Greenfieldboyce SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket racked up some much-needed successes on its 10th test flight, hitting key test objectives and breaking a streak of failures that bedeviled the spaceship this year. The silver and black two-stage rocket, which stands about 400 feet tall, blasted off from the SpaceX facility in south Texas near Boca […]
SpaceX Successfully Launches Starship Spacecraft After String of Mishaps
SpaceX Successfully Launches Starship Spacecraft after String of Mishaps Overcoming three recent failed tries, Elon Musk’s rocket company successfully flew its reusable jumbo booster and upper-stage Starship spacecraft By Dan Vergano edited by Clara Moskowitz An earlier SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy booster are moved to the launch pad at Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. […]
Zambian president’s feud with late rival continues over funeral plans
Family of Edgar Lungu trying to prevent repatriation of his body for state funeral presided over by his successor A furious row is raging over whether the Zambian president, Hakainde Hichilema, will preside over the funeral of his predecessor, Edgar Lungu, as the former president’s family wage a legal battle in South Africa to try…
Key takeaways so far from Ukraine talks in Washington
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to the White House on Monday to meet US President Donald Trump for fresh talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Several European leaders also upended their plans to attend the meeting, days after Trump met Russia’s President Putin in Alaska for a summit that failed to yield a…
Newsmax pays $67 million to settle defamation case linked to 2020 election coverage
By Maddy Lauria Newsmax will pay $67 million to settle one of the last outstanding defamation lawsuits against a news organization for airing false claims that the 2020 election was rigged. Newsmax announced the settlement in an Aug. 15 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. According to the document, the network paid $27…
Sabrina Carpenter, Ricky Martin & More to Perform at MTV VMAs 2025
Sabrina Carpenter, Ricky Martin and Alex Warren are officially among the list of performers hitting the stage at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7. Find out who else has joined the lineup. The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards are staying in our good graces. Because stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Ricky Martin, Alex…
‘No-one was expecting this’: European leaders rush to US to help Ukraine avoid ‘capitulation’
European leaders may have rushed to Washington ostensibly to throw a protective arm around President Zelensky and head off any repeat of February’s Oval Office bust-up. But their real aim is to stop US President Donald Trump threatening long-term European security after his abrupt change of course over how best to end the war in…
Can Cosmic Rays Help Alien Life Thrive?
Can Cosmic Rays Help Alien Life Thrive? Beneath the surfaces of distant planets, microbes might subsist on harsh radiation rather than starlight, a new study suggests By Emma R. Hasson edited by Lee Billings Cosmic radiation could be a boon for subsurface life on worlds such as Europa (left), Mars (center) and Enceladus (right), according…
Conservative leader runs for safe seat in parliament after Canada election defeat
Pierre Poilievre has chance of winning House of Commons seat after losing riding he had held for more than 20 years Canada’s federal conservative leader will have a second chance of winning a seat in parliament when residents of a rural Alberta district cast their ballots in a closely watched byelection on Monday. Pierre Poilievre’s…
Whirlwind day of White House talks could reshape Ukraine’s future
It is quite possible that Monday’s meeting in the White House could prove even more crucial to the future of Ukraine – and for all of Europe’s security – than last Friday’s US-Russia summit in Alaska. On the surface, that Putin-Trump reunion seemed to live down to every expectation. There was no ceasefire, no sanctions,…
Nick Viall’s Wife Natalie Joy Shares Update After 3rd Miscarriage
Nick Viall’s wife Natalie Joy shared an update on her recovery, three days after she and the Bachelorette alum experienced their third miscarriage in the past year. Natalie Joy is opening up about her recent miscarriage. Days after Nick Viall shared that his wife suffered a miscarriage nearly five months after her second pregnancy loss,…
New Zealand woman and six-year-old son released from US detention
Sarah Shaw was detained by Ice owing to a problem with her ‘combo card’ visa as she tried to re-enter the US from Canada New Zealand woman and son detained by Ice enduring ‘terrifying’ ordeal A New Zealand woman and her six-year-old son, who were held for more than three weeks at a US immigration…
Rogue Worlds May Not Be So Lonely After All, NASA’s Europa Mission Advances, and RFK, Jr., Pulls mRNA Vaccine Funds
Rogue Worlds May Not Be So Lonely After All, Europa Clipper Completes Key Test, and RFK, Jr., Pulls $500 Million in mRNA Vaccine Funding From planets roaming space to major shifts in health funding, catch up with this week’s news roundup. By Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura & Jeffery DelViscio Rachel Feltman: Happy Monday,…
What’s behind the Trump administration’s immigration memes?
By Jude Joffe-Block , Shannon Bond Last month, the White House X account posted an illustration of President Trump looking determined, framed by eagles, fireworks, the American flag and a cloud of cash. “Six months in. All gas. No brakes. The winning will continue. The deportations will continue. The memes will continue,” the post read.…
Air Canada suspends restart plans after union defies return to work order
By The Associated Press TORONTO — Air Canada said it suspended plans to restart operations on Sunday after the union representing 10,000 flight attendants said it will defy a return to work order. The strike was already affecting about 130,000 travelers around the world per day during the peak summer travel season. The Canada Industrial…
Pessimistic Dogs Are Better at Smelling Cancer—And Other Keys to Disease-Sniffing Success
Pessimistic Dogs Are Better at Smelling Cancer—And Other Keys to Disease-Sniffing Success New research is revealing how disease-smelling dogs can excel By Rohini Subrahmanyam edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Individual dogs’ personalities, and how we interpret their behaviors, may be key to disease sniffing at scale. Billy, a floppy-eared little beagle, darts around a platform…
Bolivia presidential election: preliminary results put two rightwing candidates in run-off vote
First-round result marks the end of nearly 20 years of dominance by the leftist Movimiento al Socialismo as economic crisis grips the country Bolivia’s presidential election will go to a run-off for the first time, with two rightwing candidates competing for the presidency – marking the end of nearly 20 years of dominance by the…
‘No going into Nato by Ukraine,’ says Trump as Zelensky prepares for White House talks
Donald Trump has said the Ukrainian president can end Russia’s war “if he wants to”, but there would be “no going into Nato by Ukraine” as part of a peace deal. Hours before he was due to host Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, Trump also said there would be “no getting back” of the…
Barbara Palvin Shares Endometriosis Diagnosis After Undergoing Surgery
Barbara Palvin shared that she’s been diagnosed with endometriosis and is recovering from surgery after “dealing with the difficulties that can come with my periods” for the past few years. Barbara Palvin is opening up about her private health battle. Indeed, the Hungarian model—who married Dylan Sprouse in 2023—shared that she received surgery three months…
National Guard says members patrolling D.C. ‘may be armed’
By Joe Hernandez , Luke Garrett , Brian Mann D.C. National Guard members patrolling Washington as part of the Trump administration’s plan to ramp up policing may soon be carrying weapons, a Guard spokesperson said Sunday. The Army had said last week that Guard members would not be carrying weapons and would not be making…
‘Pray for rain’: wildfires in Canada are now burning where they never used to
Canada’s response to the extreme weather threat is being upended as the traditional epicentre of the blazes shifts as the climate warms Road closures, evacuations, travel chaos and stern warnings from officials have become fixtures of Canada’s wildfire season. But as the country goes through its second-worst burn on record, the blazes come with a…
Novelist Sally Rooney says she will support Palestine Action despite ban
Author Sally Rooney says she will continue to support Palestine Action, despite the group being proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. The award-winning Irish novelist said she intends to use the earnings of her work and her public platform to “go on supporting Palestine Action and direct action against genocide”. Writing in the…
One neurosurgeon, 8 million patients
By Sophia Li Morie Abibu, a 56-year-old father of three, lies on a hospital bed in the humid Sierra Leonean heat. He is paralyzed from the neck down. After months of immobility, his soft muscles sag and pool on the bed, barely hanging onto bone. A mass is growing at the base of his skull,…
Jesse Metcalfe Addresses Rumored Desperate Housewives Cast Drama
Jesse Metcalfe admitted that he was completely “oblivious” to any behind-the-scenes drama between his Desperate Housewives costars—including Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman and creator Marc Cherry. Jesse Metcalfe was desperately unaware of any on-set drama. Indeed, the Desperate Housewives alum insisted he was “oblivious” to the rumored tension between his costars—including Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman, Nicollette…
A Male Birth Control Pill Moves to the Next Clinical Trial Stage
This Hormone-Free Pill Could Finally Expand Birth Control Options for Men A new hormone-free birth control pill that reversibly stops sperm production has passed its first safety trial in humans, offering hope for more reversible contraceptive options. By Rachel Feltman, Hannah Seo, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m…
Air Canada flight attendants to defy back-to-work order and remain on strike
Union to challenge order issued less than 12 hours after start of action that has left more than 100,000 travellers stranded Air Canada’s flight attendants plan to remain on strike, their union has said, defying government efforts to force them back to work and into binding arbitration over a dispute that has left more than…
Palestinians flee IDF attacks on Gaza City as Israelis protest against occupation plan
Thousands of residents have fled Gaza City’s southern Zeitoun neighbourhood, where days of continuous Israeli bombardment have created a “catastrophic” situation, the city’s Hamas-run municipality has told the BBC. At least 40 people were killed by Israeli attacks across the territory on Saturday, Gaza’s civil defence agency said. The Israeli military said it would begin…
A Guide to Robert De Niro’s Big Family: His 7 Kids, Exes & More
Robert De Niro is a father of seven kids, ranging in age from 57 to 2 years old, from several relationships. Here’s a guide to how the actor ended up with such a big family. Sure, last year Robert De Niro received his ninth Oscar nomination. This year, however, he met The Wiggles. And, as you…
Three Republican-led states to send hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington
By The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Three Republican-led states said Saturday that they were deploying hundreds of National Guard members to the nation’s capital to bolster the Trump administration’s effort to overhaul policing in Washington through a federal crackdown on crime and homelessness. West Virginia said it was deploying 300 to 400 Guard troops, while…
Bolivians go to polls in election that could end 20 years of socialism
Rightwing candidates lead polling ahead of fragmented left amid country’s worst economic crisis in four decades Bolivians are going to the polls in an election that could mark a shift to the right – and the end of nearly 20 years of rule by the leftist Movimiento al Socialismo (Mas). The party, which came to…
New Human Ancestor Identified from Fossil Teeth
Entirely New Species of Human Ancestor Discovered Ancient teeth found in Ethiopia belong to a never-before-seen species in the Australopithecus genus of human ancestors By Kate Wong edited by Jeanna Bryner Thirteen fossilized teeth were collected in the Ledi-Geraru Research Area from 2015 to 2018. The collections at LD 750 and LD 760 localities represent…
Hundreds march to White House to protest Trump’s D.C. crackdown
By Brian Mann , Chandelis Duster WASHINGTON — Hundreds gathered peacefully in the nation’s capital on Saturday afternoon to protest President Trump’s attempted takeover of the city’s police department and deployment of National Guard units alongside federal agents. Starting with a rally in the northwest neighborhood of DuPont Circle, protesters chanted, “Shame” and “Trump must…
Cheryl Burke Slams Plastic Surgery Speculation—Again
Cheryl Burke denied online rumors that she used plastic surgery to change her appearance—and the Dancing With the Stars alum revealed all the procedures she has gotten in the process. Cheryl Burke is getting tired of repeating herself. Amid online rumors that she used plastic surgery to change her appearance, the Dancing With the Stars…
Trump’s ceasefire pivot will cause dismay in Kyiv and Europe
No deal in Alaska. It was always the most likely and, in the absence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, perhaps the most desirable outcome. But US President Donald Trump’s pivot away from the need for an immediate ceasefire, which he said beforehand he wanted, will have caused profound dismay in Kyiv and around Europe. Russia’s…
Ice deported boy with cancer and two other US citizen children to Honduras, suit alleges
Suit filed in Louisiana says agency didn’t give parents choice as to whether children should be deported with them A lawsuit filed in Louisiana on behalf of two mothers and their four minor children, including one with cancer, claims the two families were unlawfully denied due process and deported by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement…
Trump shifts ceasefire stance and urges Ukraine to agree Russia peace deal
Donald Trump has said he wants to bypass a ceasefire in Ukraine to move directly to a permanent peace agreement after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a major shift of position, the US president said on Truth Social following Friday’s summit that this would be “the best way to end the horrific…
FBI returns stolen document signed by conquistador Hernán Cortés to Mexico
US officials did not say who had the 16th-century page that was missing from Mexico’s archives for decades Nearly five centuries after Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés signed it and decades after someone swiped it from national archives, a priceless manuscript page has been returned by the FBI to Mexico. “This is an original manuscript page…
‘The world is behaving irrationally’ – Putin’s warm welcome gets cold reaction in Ukraine
Ukrainians went to bed on Friday night with the frightening possibility that Donald Trump could be seduced by Vladimir Putin into offering significant concessions on the war. They woke up on Saturday morning to find that the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska instead had fizzled out without any strategic or political agreements. It was a rare…
Blackwater founder Erik Prince to send hundreds of fighters to strife-torn Haiti
Critics say Vectus Global’s presence – including snipers – will undermine Haiti’s police and UN security force Hundreds of combatants from the US, Europe and El Salvador will reportedly be deployed to Haiti in the coming weeks to battle the country’s gangs as part of a mission led by the controversial Blackwater founder and Donald…
Kate Middleton & Prince William Are Moving From Adelaide Cottage
Kate Middleton, Prince William and their three children are moving to Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom home in Windsor, after spending three years in four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage. Kate Middleton and Prince William are getting a fresh start. After three years of living in their four-bedroom residence, Adelaide Cottage, Kensington Palace confirmed to People that the couple…
What Is Experimental Archaeology? Sam Kean Explores Ancient Tools, Surgeries and Feasts in Dinner with King Tut
Sam Kean’s New Book Dinner with King Tut Explores the Wild World of Experimental Archaeology In his new book, Sam Kean reveals how re-creating ancient tools, techniques and traditions can unlock secrets about how our ancestors lived—and what they felt. By Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly,…
Immigration arrests dip in July, and activists hope they’re partly responsible
Martin Kaste Immigration arrests dropped nationwide in July, slowing the pace of President Donald Trump’s promised “mass deportation” just weeks after a sharp increase in June. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, its total “initial book-ins” went from 31,597 in June to 27,483 in July, a 13% drop. ICE did not respond to NPR…
Climate crisis harming world heritage painted houses in Burkina Faso, say residents
Tiébélé’s wavy-walled houses covered in geometric lines showing signs of disintegration amid erratic weather A world heritage site that was once a famous tourist destination is suffering from signs of disintegration, as climate change affects weather patterns. The wavy-walled houses covered with singular geometric lines of the Royal Court of Tiébélé in Burkina Faso, established…
Scientific American Is Older Than the Discovery of Neptune
The UniverseFridays One Year after Scientific American’s First Issue, the Solar System Grew by a Planet Neptune’s discovery was a race that ended not long after this magazine came to be By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings The planet Neptune, as seen by NASA’s Voyager 2 probe during a flyby in August of 1989.…
Private equity and crypto could be heading for your 401(k). Here’s what to know
Laurel Wamsley The funds in most retirement accounts are pretty basic: stocks and bonds. Now, an executive order signed by President Trump aims to lay the groundwork for an array of “alternative assets,” including cryptocurrency, real estate and private equity, to be included in 401(k) and similar accounts. These accounts are retirement plans offered by…
What Ne-Yo & More Stars Have Shared About Non-Monogamous Relationships
In March, Ne-Yo introduced the internet to his four girlfriends. However, the singer isn’t the only celebrity involved in non-monogamy. Read what more stars have shared about their experiences. Some stars aren’t looking for a one-and-only connection. Take Ne-Yo, for instance. Back in March, the Grammy winner introduced the internet to his four girlfriends—and he…
Five key takeaways after the Alaska summit
The high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin was billed as a vital step towards peace in the Ukraine war. But with no ceasefire and an invitation to Moscow, the almost three-hour meeting between the two leaders has yielded more questions than answers. Here are five key takeaways…
California Democrats unveil their new congressional map to counter Republicans
From By Laura Fitzgerald SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Democrats in California’s state legislature have released a proposal for a new congressional map that could give their party up to five new seats. It’s a major step forward for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plans and the escalating race between the two major parties as they seek to…
Human Embryo Implantation Revealed in First-Ever 3D Images
First 3D Images of Human Embryo Implantation Reveal New Details of the Process Analyzing embryo movements in uteruslike environments could offer clues to improving the success rate of in vitro fertilization By Humberto Basilio edited by Lauren J. Young Confocal microscopy image of a nine-day-old human embryo. Specific proteins and cellular structures have been coloured…
No ceasefire, no deal. What summit means for Trump, Putin and Ukraine
US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have left Alaska without reaching an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine. After an almost three-hour meeting, the leaders delivered a joint statement to the media before leaving without taking questions. Three BBC correspondents who are in Anchorage for the summit assess what it means…
Patrick Mahomes’ First Reaction to Travis Kelce Dating Taylor Swift
When Travis Kelce told his Kansas City Chiefs teammate Patrick Mahomes he was dating Taylor Swift, the quarterback admitted he didn’t think it was true. Patrick Mahomes needed a video review before making the final call. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback revealed he was hesitant to believe his teammate Travis Kelce was dating Taylor Swift…
Mali’s junta arrests generals and French national over alleged coup plot
Development comes as the military continues to crack down on dissent after a pro-democracy rally in May Mali’s military rulers say they have arrested a group of military personnel and civilians, including two Malian generals and a suspected French agent, accusing them of attempting to destabilise the country. The security minister, Gen Daouda Aly Mohammedine,…
How Social Media Algorithms Are Changing the Way People Talk
The Internet Is Making Us Fluent in Algospeak By Allison Parshall edited by Jeanna Bryner Every time a new slang word gets coined on the Internet, linguist Adam Aleksic is thrilled. “It’s definitely good for me in that I stay in business,” says Aleksic, who studies the origins of words and the changes they undergo…
Vanessa Bryant Gets Lipstick All Over Her Dog in Sweet Kissing Photos
Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa Bryant shared adorable photos cuddling with her small furry friend, posting photos before and after she made her mark. Vanessa Bryant is sharing her puppy love. Kobe Bryant’s wife posted sweet snaps cuddling up with her small dog, holding the furry friend up and smothering the pup with kisses. In another photo, the fluffball sported a red…
Why Alaska? Why now? What to expect from the summit
US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are meeting in Anchorage to discuss how to end the war in Ukraine. The venue for the high-profile meeting is Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson – a US military installation on the northern edge of Alaska’s most populated city. The two leaders shook hands on the red…
With new discovery, island nation turns page on a painful legacy
Nathan Conaboy’s day had taken an unexpected turn, and he now found himself in a distant cavern, searching for geckos. He and a band of scientists had set out one morning in August to survey wildlife. When monsoon rains washed out the road they were traveling on, the team decided to make the most of…
The Scientific Debate over Colossal’s ‘De-extinct’ Dire Wolves
This Company Claimed to ‘De-extinct’ Dire Wolves. Then the Fighting Started Colossal Biosciences bold announcements about its project to replicate dire wolf traits have drawn criticism from many scientists, but the billion-dollar firm is not backing down By Ewen Callaway & Nature magazine Two of the animals created by Texas firm Colossal Biosciences as part…
Did Kim Cattrall Return for And Just Like That’s Finale? The Truth
Fans speculated ahead of And Just Like That‘s series finale Aug. 14 about whether or not Kim Cattrall would make one final cameo as Samantha Jones. Warning: This story contains major spoilers from the Aug. 14 episode of And Just Like That. And just like that… it’s over. Sex and the City revival And Just Like That aired…
What to know ahead of Trump-Putin summit. And, Texas Democrats could end boycott
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. President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are expected to meet today in Alaska for a high-stakes summit in an effort to end Russia’s war with Ukraine. The meeting…
Sidelined Ukrainians look on with deep scepticism as Trump and Putin meet
Five thousand miles from Alaska, and feeling left out, Ukrainians were bracing themselves on Friday for the outcome of negotiations to which they were not invited. The talks, between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, will begin later in the day with no seat for the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump…
African Union joins calls to end use of Mercator map that shrinks continent’s size
Member states back Correct the Map campaign that urges governments and organisations to use more accurate map The African Union has backed a campaign to end the use by governments and international organisations of the 16th-century Mercator map of the world in favour of one that more accurately displays Africa’s size. Created by the cartographer…
What do Alaskans make of the geopolitical circus arriving in their city?
“Putin is supposed to be in jail, and he just comes to Alaska like that.” Hanna Correa is amongst a sea of Alaskans waving Ukrainian flags on the road leading into Anchorage. “When I entered through that parking lot, and I see a lot of Americans, they’re supporting, it made me cry,” she says. Ms…