Supreme Court temporarily blocks full SNAP benefits even as they’d started to go out
Jennifer Ludden The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily granted the Trump administration’s request to block full SNAP food benefits during the government shutdown, even as residents in some states had already begun receiving them. The Trump administration is appealing a court order to fully restart the country’s largest anti-hunger program. The high court decision late Friday […]
Why Is the Milky Way Warped?
The UniverseFridays Our Milky Way’s Warped Disk Keeps Getting Weirder Observations show the disk of our galaxy is not flat but warped and waving. Astronomers are still working out the reasons why By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings Observations from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission have revealed a giant wave rippling through the […]
After California’s vote to counter Trump, here’s where redistricting stands
Larry Kaplow Loading… California voters this week made the biggest Democratic move yet against President Trump’s effort to reshape voting maps in favor of Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections. They overwhelmingly approved a map for congressional districts that could help Democrats win five more seats in the U.S. House. The ballot language itself referred […]
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 […]
Russian volcano erupts days after monster quake shakes region
Geoff Brumfiel A massive volcano has erupted in Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula region for the first time in centuries, just days after a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake rocked the area. The Krasheninnikov Volcano began erupting early Sunday morning local time, according to a post from the Kronotsky Nature Preserve, where it’s located. A cloud…
3.0 Magnitude Earthquake Rumbles New York City Less than 2 Years After the Last One
3.0 Magnitude Earthquake Rumbles New York City Less than 2 Years After the Last One The 3.0-magnitude earthquake that shook the East Coast comes a year and a half after a 4.8-magnitude quake shocked New York City and its surroundings By Meghan Bartels edited by Jeanna Bryner Join Our Community of Science Lovers! New York…
Gunmen kidnap more than 50 people in north-west Nigeria
Latest ‘mass capture’ in Zamfara state shows banditry crisis shifting from land conflict to organised crime Gunmen have kidnapped more than 50 people in north-west Nigeria in a mass abduction, according to a private conflict monitoring report created for the UN and seen by Agence France-Presse on Sunday. “Armed bandits” targeted the village of Sabon…
Victims of mis-sold car finance could get less than £950 per deal
Victims of car finance mis-selling will likely get less than £950 per deal under a compensation scheme proposed by the financial regulator, with the first payouts expected next year. The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that hidden commissions from lenders to dealers on car loans were not unlawful, meaning millions of motorists will not be…
Jessie J Hospitalized Weeks After Breast Cancer Surgery
Jessie J shared she was hospitalized after experiencing symptoms of a possible blood clot in her lung, just weeks after the “Price Tag” singer underwent surgery to treat her breast cancer. Jessie J is recovering from a recent health scare. Just six weeks after sharing that she underwent surgery to treat her “early breast cancer,”…
Natasha Richardson’s Sister Reacts to Pamela Anderson, Liam Neeson Pic
Amid ongoing romance rumors between Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson, the sister of Liam’s late wife Natasha Richardson shared a sweet reaction to their relationship. Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson’s relationship has earned the stamp of approval. Amid rumors the Naked Gun actors may be more than just costars, the sister of Liam’s late wife…
Pope Leo tells 1 million Catholic youths they are sign ‘different world is possible’
By The Associated Press In his closing blessing for the Jubilee of Youth, Leo remembered the young people of Gaza and Ukraine and other countries “bloodied by war” who could not join their celebration. “We are closer than ever to young people who suffer the most serious evils, which are caused by other human beings,”…
Family of Kenyan woman allegedly murdered by UK soldiers criticise defence secretary
Niece of Agnes Wanjiru says she thinks John Healey is ‘taking us for a ride’ The niece of a Kenyan woman who was murdered more than a decade ago, allegedly by British soldiers, has said her family now believe the defence secretary “just made a promise for his political gain” when he met them in…
Checking In With Anne Hathaway and The Princess Diaries Cast
Mia Thermopolis is back? Shut up! We’re celebrating the return of The Princess Diaries—and the anniversary of the OG film—by checking in with Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews and the rest of the cast. A queen is never late. Everyone else is simply early. So, while it’s been more than two decades since The Princess Diaries…
Ukraine drone attack sparks fire at Sochi oil depot, Russian authorities say
A massive oil depot fire raging near Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi has been blamed by Russian authorities on a Ukrainian drone attack. Sochi’s nearby airport has suspended flights. Krasnodar Region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on Telegram that drone debris hit a fuel tank and 127 firefighters were tackling the blaze. Meanwhile, a Russian…
Panama files lawsuits against owner of ports at centre of US-China struggle
Comptroller general lodged two cases in country’s supreme court after failed attempt to sell to consortium Panama’s comptroller general has lodged two cases with the country’s supreme court against the owners of two ports at the centre of a geopolitical struggle between the US and China, in a move likely to be seen as a…
How the Potato Got Its Start Nine Million Years Ago—Thanks to a Tomato
The Potato’s Mysterious Family Tree Revealed—And It Includes Tomatoes About nine million years ago, a hybridization involving the lineage of another farmers market star gave rise to the modern-day cultivated potato By Nora Bradford edited by Dean Visser The new study reveals an interesting relationship between potatoes and tomatoes. Join Our Community of Science Lovers!…
Who’s the top dog? Wave-riding canines compete in the World Dog Surfing Championships
By The Associated Press Charlie the 10-year-old yellow lab likes surfing so much, he will grab his surfboard and run toward the water. His humans sometimes have to hide his board if they want to chat with friends on the beach. Charlie joined about 15 to 20 other canine wave riders in Pacifica, 14 miles…
Brains React to Signs of Illness—Even When It’s Not Real
The Brain Fires Up Immune Cells When Sick People Are Nearby When people viewed virtual avatars with coughs or rashes, their brain triggered an immune response By Katie Kavanagh & Nature magazine Brain areas that help to monitor the envelope of space close to a person are involved in firing up immune cells when infection…
Lebanon mourns beloved artist Ziad Rahbani
By Michael Levitt Lebanon has lost one of its most beloved artists, the playwright and musician Ziad Rahbani. SARAH MCCAMMON, HOST: Lebanon this week mourned the passing of one of its most beloved artists. Musician and playwright Ziad Rahbani died a week ago. NPR’s Michael Levitt has this remembrance. (SOUNDBITE OF ZIAD RAHBANI SONG, “ANA…
Why Donald Trump Says It’s “Difficult” to Pardon Sean “Diddy” Combs
Donald Trump shared insight into why it’s unlikely he will grant Sean “Diddy” Combs a presidential pardon, one month after the rap mogul was found guilty on two out of five counts in his case. Donald Trump isn’t doing Sean “Diddy” Combs any favors. Three months after he first shared insight into the possibility…
New offence to criminalise online migrant boats ads
The offence, which the government is seeking to create under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill currently going through Parliament, would form part of a crackdown on the number of migrants coming to the UK on small boats. Assisting illegal immigration to the UK is already a crime, but officials believe the offence would…
Weather tracker: deadly floods devastate northern China
Torrential rain batters Beijing and surrounding areas, while intense heat lingers in parts of Scandinavia At least 70 people have died in northern China after another bout of torrential rain triggered flooding, the latest in a series of extreme rainfall events in recent months. Between 23 and 29 July, Beijing and its surrounding areas recorded…
Prince Harry Denies Claims He Punched Prince Andrew at Royal Gathering
Prince Harry denied allegations made in a new book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, that he and Prince Andrew had a physical altercation over comments made about Meghan Markle. Prince Harry is setting the record straight. After a new book, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York,…
Strong Support for NASA and Project Artemis Will Advance the U.S.
Opinion Strong Support for NASA and Project Artemis Will Advance the U.S. NASA needs clear support from the White House if we want to win the new space race By Matthew Beddingfield Team members at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, La. load the first core stage onto the Pegasus barge on Tuesday, July 16,…
In Gaza, more Palestinians are killed while waiting for food aid
By Aya Batrawy , Willem Marx At least 325 people in Gaza were killed by Israeli forces while trying to reach food over the past week, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. That figure includes 24 people killed on Saturday in various parts of the territory, according to health officials and morgues reached by NPR. The…
Brazil judge hits back at ‘cowardly and treasonous’ plot behind US sanctions
US put sanctions on Judge Alexandre de Moraes as an apparent move by Trump to help his ally Jair Bolsonaro The supreme court judge presiding over the trial of Brazil’s ex-president, Jair Bolsonaro, has said a “cowardly and treacherous” plot is afoot to pave the way for another attack on the South American country’s democracy.…
A jury orders Tesla to pay more than $240 million in Autopilot crash
By The Associated Press MIAMI — A Miami jury decided that Elon Musk’s car company Tesla was partly responsible for a deadly crash in Florida involving its Autopilot driver assist technology and must pay the victims more than $240 million in damages. The decision ends a four-year long case remarkable not just in its outcome…
Miniature Neutrino Detector Catches Elusive Particles at Nuclear Reactor
Miniature Neutrino Detector Promises to Test the Laws of Physics A relatively small detector caught neutrinos from a nuclear reactor using a technique known as coherent scattering By Davide Castelvecchi & Nature magazine A nuclear power plant in Liebstadt, Switzerland, hosted the CONUS+ neutrino detector. Physicists have caught neutrinos from a nuclear reactor using a…
Steve Rosenberg: Russia is staying quiet on Trump’s nuclear move
Could this be the first time in history a social media spat triggers nuclear escalation? President Donald Trump, offended by posts by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, says he’s ordered two nuclear submarines to move closer to Russia. So, how will Moscow respond? Are we on a path to a nuclear standoff between America and…
Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson Arrested for Alleged Domestic Assault
Sha’Carri Richardson, the Team USA track and field star, was arrested after allegedly assaulting boyfriend Christian Coleman at the Seattle Tacoma International Airport, according to police reports. Sha’Carri Richardson is facing legal trouble. The Olympic track and field star was arrested at the Seattle Tacoma International Airport on July 27, per a police report obtained…
Colombia’s ex-president Álvaro Uribe sentenced to 12 years’ house arrest for witness tampering
It marks the first time in country’s history that an ex-president has been convicted of a crime and sentenced Colombia’s still-powerful former president Álvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest, capping a long and contentious career that defined the country’s politics for a generation. Uribe, aged 73, received the maximum possible…
Anthropic’s Claude 4 Chatbot Suggests It Might Be Conscious
Claude 4 Chatbot Raises Questions about AI Consciousness A conversation with Anthropic’s chatbot raises questions about how AI talks about awareness. By Rachel Feltman, Deni Ellis Béchard, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. Today we’re going to talk about an AI chatbot that appears to believe…
Trump moves nuclear submarines after Russian ex-president’s comments
US President Donald Trump says he has ordered two nuclear submarines to “be positioned in the appropriate regions” in response to “highly provocative” comments by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Trump said he acted “just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that. Words are very important, and can often lead…
Stevie Nicks Postpones Tour for 2 Months Due to Shoulder Injury
Stevie Nicks postponed the first two months of her 2025 North American solo tour after sharing that she suffered a “fractured shoulder” and needs time to recover. Stevie Nicks needs to go her own way for a while. The “Edge of Seventeen” singer shared that she’s postponing the first two months of her 2025 North…
Trump fires lead official on economic data as tariffs cause market drop
US President Donald Trump said he would fire the head of the agency charged with publishing some of America’s most closely watched economic data, after a weaker-than-expected jobs report stoked further alarm about his tariff policies. In a post on social media, Trump – without evidence – accused the commissioner, Erika McEntarfer, of manipulating jobs…
3 big takeaways from the NTSB hearing on the DCA midair collision
By Joe Hernandez Three days of hearings held by federal investigators this week shed new light on the deadly midair collision last January between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter just outside Washington, D.C. Everyone on board both the jet and the helicopter — 67 people — were killed in…
Trump defends firing labor statistics chief by lying about her role in 2024 campaign – as it happened
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Donald Trump defended his decision to fire Erika McEntarfer, the commissioner of labor statistics, and falsely accused her of having released reports just before the 2024 election that overstated the number of new jobs created by the Biden-Harris administration. Asked by a reporter, “Why did you fire the head of…
Why Do Black Holes Spin?
The UniverseFridays The Physics of Spinning Black Holes Explained Scientists are uncovering how spinning black holes launch jets, warp spacetime and shape the cosmos By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings An artist’s rendition of a supermassive black hole surrounded by a swirling accretion disk. Stay connected to The Universe: Get email alerts for this…
Millions denied car finance payouts after Supreme Court ruling
Millions of motorists will not be able to claim compensation for hidden commissions paid on car loans following a Supreme Court ruling. The UK’s highest court sided with finance companies in two out of three crucial test cases focusing on commission payments made by banks and other lenders to car dealers. The decision reversed earlier…
Wildfire Smoke from Canada Reduces Air Quality in U.S. Midwest
Wildfire Smoke from Canada Blankets the U.S. Midwest in Haze of Bad Air Quality Winds from the northwest are blowing cool, dry air—but also wildfire smoke—into the U.S. Midwest from Canada By Meghan Bartels edited by Andrea Thompson Smoke from wildfires in Canada is drifting across the U.S. Midwest, leading to hazy skies and air…
Kemi Badenoch says she no longer sees herself as Nigerian despite upbringing
Conservative party leader, who grew up in Nigeria and US, says she has not renewed her Nigerian passport in decades Kemi Badenoch has said she no longer considers herself Nigerian and does not possess a Nigerian passport. The Conservative party leader, who was born in London, but grew up in Nigeria and the US and…
Princess Anne’s Son Peter Phillips Is Engaged to Harriet Sperling
Peter Phillips—the 47-year-old son of Princess Anne and equestrian Mark Phillips—announced his engagement to his girlfriend Harriet Sperling after more than a year of dating. Peter Phillips is taking a royally big step in his relationship. The son of Princess Anne and her ex-husband Mark Phillips revealed he’s engaged to his girlfriend Harriet Sperling after…
Confusion and anger in Switzerland – hit by highest tariffs in Europe
39%? For Switzerland, this is a huge shock, and worse than the worst-case scenario – these are the highest tariffs in Europe. Globally, the fourth highest, behind only Syria, Laos, and Myanmar, (although if President Trump follows through on his 50% tariff threat then Brazil will jump to the top of the list). It’s the…
Golden Bachelor’s Mel Owens Clarifies Controversial Age Limit Remarks
Mel Owens is addressing his eyebrow-raising dating parameters. Over a month after the new Golden Bachelor star sparked controversy by saying he wouldn’t date anyone over 60, the former Los Angeles Rams player clarified he is, in fact, open to meeting women from different age brackets. “My reference of dating was 39, 40 years old,”…
U.S. Science Has Weathered Attacks Before and Won
Opinion U.S. Science—and Scientific American—Have Weathered Attacks Before and Won Federal officials seized 3,000 copies of Scientific American in 1950 in a “red scare” era of attacks on science. The move backfired, and offers lessons for today By Dan Vergano Albert Einstein and other scientists, including Hans Bethe standing behind him, in 1946. We’re celebrating…
SpaceX launches international crew to space station on 6-month NASA mission
By Brendan Byrne An international crew of four launched into orbit just before noon Friday from Florida on NASA’s Crew-11, a six-month mission to the International Space Station. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket roared to life on Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39-A, lofting the company’s Dragon capsule and crew on a nine-minute trip from the…
Opposition leaders say ‘democracy in El Salvador has died’ after scrapping of presidential term limits
Legislation allows rightwing president Nayib Bukele to seek unlimited terms, sparking fears of dictatorship Activists and opposition leaders have that warned El Salvador is following Venezuela’s path towards dictatorship after the Central American country’s congress scrapped presidential term limits, paving the way for Nayib Bukele to seek indefinite re-election. “Democracy in El Salvador has died,”…
Wednesday Cast Reveals What Goes Down in the Show’s 18 Group Chats
Wednesday’s Emma Myers and Joy Sunday detailed the cast’s close bond in an exclusive interview with E! News—and what they talk about in their many group chats. Despite their altogether ooky demeanors onscreen, the Wednesday cast have a lot of love to give. In fact, the stars of the Netflix series, including Jenna Ortega, Emma…
Rats, mould and dangerous overcrowding – inside illegal house-shares hiding in plain sight
In the middle of the night, says Maria, groups of people can sometimes be seen moving into houses in her neighbourhood, far more than would seem to fit comfortably in the Victorian terraced homes. Each of these houses has 10 to 15 people living inside, she estimates. Maria, an architect, suspects they are being illegally…
France, U.K., others plan to recognize a Palestinian state. What does that change?
By Scott Neuman France and the United Kingdom are among the latest countries preparing to formally recognize a state of Palestine — a move by two permanent members of the U.N. Security Council that would deepen their split with Israel and the United States over the 22-month war in Gaza. Canada this week also joined…
Trump announces sweeping new levies for scores of countries – as it happened
Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday modifying the tariff rates he first announced in April ahead of a Friday deadline for the new rates on imported goods to go into effect. The order states that goods imported from every nation on Earth will be subject to a 10% tariff except for goods from…
Kylie Jenner Gives a Tour of Kris Jenner’s Extravagant Mansion
Kylie Jenner shared pictures of her and mom Kris Jenner’s “sleepover,” which included an inside look at the momager’s California mansion. Kylie Jenner is helping the world keep up with Kris Jenner’s luxe lifestyle. The 27-year-old shared a peek inside her momager’s swanky mansion near Calabasas, Calif., while showcasing what the pair got up to…
Why Do Allergens Make Us Cough and Sneeze?
Allergens May Make Us Cough and Sneeze by Poking Holes in Airway Cells The immune system senses damage to cell membranes caused by pore-forming proteins and mounts a response By Rachel Fieldhouse & Nature magazine Join Our Community of Science Lovers! The sneezing, itchy eyes and coughing elicited by some allergens are caused by proteins…
Mass rape, forced pregnancy and sexual torture in Tigray amount to crimes against humanity – report
Warning: this article contains graphic and distressing testimony and images Research documents ‘horrific and extreme’ attacks by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces and warns that impunity has meant such atrocities are expanding to new regions Hundreds of health workers across Tigray have documented mass rape, sexual slavery, forced pregnancy and sexual torture of women and children…
Trump’s global tariffs ‘victory’ may well come at a high price
In April Donald Trump stunned the world by announcing sweeping new import tariffs – only to put most on hold amid the resulting global financial panic. Four months later, the US president is touting what he claims are a series of victories, having unveiled a handful of deals with trading partners and unilaterally imposed tariffs…
El Salvador approves indefinite presidential reelection, extends presidential terms
By The Associated Press SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — The party of El Salvador President Nayib Bukele approved constitutional changes in the country’s National Assembly on Thursday that will allow indefinite presidential reelection and extend presidential terms to six years. Lawmaker Ana Figueroa from the New Ideas party had proposed the changes to five articles…
Gazan boy first to be treated in UK for war injuries
Majd al-Shaghnobi can’t eat or speak or smile like he used to. But with his injured mouth covered by a surgical mask, his eyes were beaming as he arrived at London’s Heathrow airport on a flight from Cairo, with his mother, brother and little sister. “I’m happy to be in England and to get treatment,”…
Trump’s dream of building a ballroom at the White House is becoming a reality
Tamara Keith The renderings are complete, the architects and contractors have been hired. After at least 15 years of talking about it, President Trump is building a ballroom at the White House. According to the White House, the work will begin this September, with a price tag of $200 million. “President Trump is a builder…
4 Science Book Recommendations We Loved Reading in July
What Books Scientific American Read in July Check out Scientific American’s fiction and nonfiction book recommendations for July By Brianne Kane edited by Andrea Gawrylewski July 2025 has been a sweltering month, but we at Scientific American have still squeezed in some fun in the sun and a hot dog or two, all while choosing…
Rhino horns made radioactive to foil traffickers in South African project
Isotopes can be detected at airports and borders even in large containers and are harmless to the animals A South African university has launched an anti-poaching campaign to inject the horns of rhinoceroses with radioactive isotopes that it says are harmless for the animals but can be detected by customs agents. Under the collaborative project…
MGK Reveals Who Picked His and Megan Fox’s Baby Name
Machine Gun Kelly explained how his and Megan Fox’s daughter’s name Saga Blade Fox-Baker came to be, while revealing the name his eldest daughter Casie was almost given. What’s in a name? Well, for Machine Gun Kelly, it’s victory. Indeed, the 35-year-old rapper revealed that his suggestion for his and Megan Fox’s 4-month-old daughter Saga…
Man, 76, arrested as summer camp children fall ill
A 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of administering poison after children fell ill at a summer camp in Leicestershire. Police said an investigation was under way after eight children at the camp at Stathern Lodge were taken to hospital on Sunday. All have since been discharged. Officers had gone to the camp, in…
Lightning Strike Sets New Record for Longest Ever Measured
515-Mile-Long Lightning Megaflash Sets New World Record By Emma R. Hasson edited by Andrea Thompson Join Our Community of Science Lovers! When a potentially record-breaking weather event occurs, it gets passed to the committee, where a panel of scientists and other experts assesses whether the event truly represents a new record. If the panel votes…
Khloe Kardashian Details “Draining” Reunion With Ex Lamar Odom
Khloe Kardashian candidly spoke about the moment she reunited with her ex-husband Lamar Odom, nine years after finalizing their divorce, and if she would do it again. For Khloe Kardashian, keeping up with her past came with a cost. Indeed, the Kardashians star recalled the raw feelings that resurfaced when she reunited with her ex-husband Lamar…