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. […]
Royal Family hopes nothing distracts from VE Day commemorations
The Royal Family is hoping “nothing will detract or distract” from VE Day commemorations this week, which fall days after Prince Harry’s interview. The King and Queen are looking forward to the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and the end to World War Two, Buckingham Palace said. Events begin on Monday…
Two arrested over bomb plot targeting Lady Gaga concert in Rio attended by millions
Two people have been arrested in connection to an alleged planned attack on Brazil’s LGBTQ community at the singer’s Sunday concert, police say Two people have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to detonate explosives at a free Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro, in what authorities believe was an attempt to…
Sister Wives’ Kody Brown Shares Regrets After Son Garrison’s Death
After Sister Wives stars Kody Brown and ex Janelle Brown’s son Garrison died by suicide last March, the patriarch expressed his regrets while reflecting on his grief journey in the latest episode. Content warning: This article includes mention of suicide. Kody Brown is looking back with a new perspective. More than one year after the…
Does a president need to uphold the Constitution? Trump says ‘I don’t know’
Luke Garrett President Trump — when asked if he thinks he needs to uphold the Constitution on “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker” — said, “I don’t know,” but added that his lawyers “are obviously going to follow what the Supreme Court said.” The response came after a series of questions regarding the right to…
Measles Vaccine Denial Is a Massive Brainwashing Campaign
Opinion ArgonautWednesdays The Brainwashing Campaign That Is Measles Misinformation A shameful mass propaganda campaign is unfolding in the U.S., one that will make millions of kids needlessly sick with measles By Dan Vergano Fake gravestones to signify victims of the measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019 sit in the grass outside the U.S. Capitol as…
How Billie Lourd Is Honoring Late Mom Carrie Fisher for Star Wars Day
Eight years after she lost mother Carrie Fisher, Billie Lourd shared how she is honoring her mother’s Princess Leia legacy on Star Wars Day May 4. Billie Lourd isn’t letting May the Fourth pass her by without giving her mom some love. In celebration of what fans of the sci-fi series deem Star Wars day…
Trump says he ‘doesn’t rule out’ using military force to control Greenland
President has repeatedly expressed idea of expansion into autonomous territory within fellow Nato member Denmark Donald Trump would not rule out using military force to gain control of Greenland, the world’s largest island and an autonomous territory within Denmark, a fellow Nato member with the US. Since taking office, the US president has repeatedly expressed…
Syrian security forces ‘oversaw’ armed civilians who killed Alawites, accused man says
One of the men accused of taking part in a wave of sectarian violence against Syria’s Alawite minority two months ago has told the BBC that he and other armed civilians who travelled to the area were advised and monitored by government forces there. Abu Khalid said he had travelled as a civilian fighter to…
Why ‘Evolving’ Dark Energy Worries Some Physicists
Latest Dark Energy Study Suggests the Universe Is Even Weirder Than We Imagined If dark energy is weakening, as suggested by recent results, then the cosmos is far stranger than most physicists had supposed By Lyndie Chiou edited by Lee Billings An artist’s concept of the dark energy-driven accelerating expansion of the universe. New results…
Lindsay Arnold Wanted to Remove “Stigma” Around Breast Augmentation
Former Dancing With the Stars pro Lindsay Arnold, who partnered with Hallmark this Mother’s day, explained to E! News her decision to document her breast augmentation surgery on social media. Lindsay Arnold hopes that her openness is helping others. The former Dancing With the Stars pro—who shares kids Sage, 4, and June, 20 months, with husband Sam Cusick—shed…
Catholic leaders criticize Trump for posting apparent AI photo of himself as the pope
By Joe Hernandez Some Catholic leaders and at least one U.S. Catholic group are criticizing President Trump after he posted on social media what appears to be an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as the pope. Trump posted the image on his Truth Social account on Friday night, and shortly after it was reposted…
Fourteen children arrested over boy’s fire death in Gateshead
Fourteen children have been arrested over the death of a 14-year-old boy following a fire at an industrial unit. The blaze broke out at Fairfield industrial park in the Bill Quay area of Gateshead on Friday evening. It was extinguished but a body believed to be that of Layton Carr, who had been reported missing,…
US jury’s $30m verdict brings hope for Cuban exiles over confiscated land
Lawsuit brought under Helms-Burton could spur others pursuing compensation for property seized by Castro Long before it became one of Cuba’s most popular tourist destinations in the 1990s, the small island of Cayo Coco, with its pristine beaches and powdery white sands, attracted a different kind of clientele. Inspired by its unspoiled beauty, and his…
Iranians among eight arrested in two separate anti-terror operations
Eight men, including seven Iranian nationals, have been arrested in two separate counter-terrorism police investigations. Five were arrested at various locations around England on Saturday as part of a “pre-planned” investigation into a plot to “target a specific premises”, the Metropolitan Police said. Four – two aged 29, one aged 40 and one aged 46…
Surprise, These Celebrities Actually Have the Same Name
From the two most famous Michael Jordans to the not-so-obvious who share their given moniker with a fellow celebrity—looking at you, Katy Perry—check out these stars with the same name. There’s almost zero chance that you’re the only person who has your name. Sure, some monikers are more unique than others—celebrity parents are seeing to…
Lady Gaga rocks Copacabana Beach with a free concert for more than 2 million fans
By The Associated Press RIO DE JANEIRO — Lady Gaga gave a free concert Saturday night in front of 2 million fans who poured onto Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career. “Tonight, we’re making history. (…) Thank you for making history with me,” Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd. The Mother Monster,…
Gigi Hadid Makes Bradley Cooper Romance IG Official With PDA Pic
NBC sportscaster Mike Tirico left the network’s broadcast coverage of the Kentucky Derby 2025 after suffering a “significant” nut allergy reaction. An Instagram romance is born. Gigi Hadid has made her relationship with boyfriend Bradley Cooper social media official, more than a year after they started dating. The supermodel included a photo of the two…
Sir John Curtice: The map that shows Reform’s triumph was much more than a protest vote
There is no doubt that Reform performed well in Thursday’s local council elections. The party won most votes, most seats and overall control of most councils. True, the party’s share of the votes cast across all 23 councils where elections took place on Thursday was no more than 31%. So despite doing well, it secured…
Trump Quietly Halts Money to States for Preventing Disaster Damage
Trump Quietly Halts Money to States for Preventing Disaster Damage President Trump is the first president in at least three decades to deny governors’ requests for funding that’s meant to protect people and property By Thomas Frank & E&E News President Donald Trump is considering a major overhaul to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. CLIMATEWIRE…
Arizona governor pauses deportation for Guatemalan who gave birth days ago
‘Erika’, 24, gained public attention after lawyer said federal agents denied him access to her in a Tucson hospital A Guatemalan immigrant who crossed the US border eight months pregnant and gave birth in Arizona has avoided fast-track deportation after intervention by the state’s governor, her lawyer and a federal official said on Saturday. The…
The Vatican installs chimney to signal the selection of the next pope
Clare Marie Schneider Workers attached a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Friday, ahead of the election process for the next pope. The chimney, which is attached to the chapel before a new pope is elected, will signal to the public the election of Pope Francis’ successor. With the death of Pope Francis last month,…
World may be ‘post-herd immunity’ to measles, top US scientist says
As infections pummel communities in the US, Mexico and Canada, fear of ‘the most contagious human disease’ grows The US is enduring the largest measles outbreak in a quarter-century. Centered in west Texas, the measles outbreak has killed two unvaccinated children and one adult and spread to neighboring states including New Mexico and Oklahoma. “Measles…
This week proves Nigel Farage’s PM ambition is not a wild notion
In the first week of 2025, Nigel Farage told me his ultimate goal was to become prime minister. It stuck in my mind that he chose to add: “I’m not joking.” Nobody in the two traditional main parties finds his stunning success this week funny. “Farage is no longer someone we can just laugh off,”…
Kentucky Derby 2025: See Dannielynn Birkhead and More Celebs Arrive
The 2025 Kentucky Derby was attended by a slew of celebrities, including Dannielynn Birkhead, Alix Earle and Selma Blair. Get details and see photos from the event. These stars were off to the races—in style. The 2025 Kentucky Derby, held at the Churchill Downs racecourse in Louisville May 3, brought out celebs such as Alix…
If a Chatbot Tells You It Is Conscious, Should You Believe It?
Opinion If a Chatbot Tells You It Is Conscious, Should You Believe It? AI systems could show signs of consciousness. We need to develop better tests to show whether they are actually aware By Susan Schneider Early in 2025 dozens of ChatGPT 4.0 users reached out to me to ask if the model was conscious.…
Florida lawmakers try to balance condo safety with cost
By Greg Allen Florida lawmakers have sent the governor a measure aimed at providing relief for tens of thousands of condominium owners struggling with rising costs in aging buildings. A law passed shortly after 98 people died in the 2021 collapse of a residential tower in the town of Surfside, located outside of Miami, placed…
Australia PM Albanese makes stunning comeback with landslide win
Labor’s Anthony Albanese has defied the so-called “incumbency curse” to be re-elected Australia’s prime minister in a landslide. Official vote counting won’t finish for days, but Albanese’s centre-left government will dramatically increase its majority after the conservative Liberal-National coalition suffered a thumping defeat nationwide. “Today, the Australian people have voted for Australian values: for fairness,…
This hockey town in Michigan has deep ties to Canada. Then came Trump’s tariffs
From the local sports team to local businesses, Saginaw is intimately intertwined with its northern neighbor There are few entities that embody the close, fraternal ties between the US and Canada quite like the Saginaw Spirit junior ice hockey team. In a place whose fortunes have been more down than up in recent decades, the…
Opinion: Curse other drivers? So do the pros — but they get fined
Scott Simon The governing body that oversees Formula One racing is worried about F1 drivers dropping F-bombs, and now the sport’s most prominent driver says he feels… inhibited. Max Verstappen, the 4-time world champion for the Red Bull Racing team, was given a penalty over his remarks at a press conference last fall, when he…
Could the Sun Unleash Dangerous Superflares?
The UniverseFridays Could the Sun Fry Earth with a Superflare? Stars like the sun might erupt with extreme explosions about once per century By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings Artist’s concept of a space-weather outburst from the sun impacting Earth’s atmosphere. Stay connected to The Universe: Get email alerts for this weekly column by…
Katherine Heigl Shares One Condition for 27 Dresses Sequel
Katherine Heigl exclusively told E! News what it would take for her to return for a 27 Dresses sequel amid her new ventures, which includes her Bandlands Ranch dog nutrition brand. Katherine Heigl’s future may include a 28th bridesmaid dress. But amid rumblings that a sequel to 27 Dresses is in the works, the Grey’s…
King Charles to open Canada parliament as PM Carney reacts to Trump threats
Liberal PM will also meet with US president on Tuesday amid tensions over threatened annexation and tariffs King Charles has accepted an invitation to open Canada’s parliament on 27 May, in “an historic honour that matches the weight of our times”, the country’s prime minister, Mark Carney, said on Friday. In his first news conference…
My impression of Prince Harry during our exclusive interview
Dawn in a beautiful, expensively landscaped home in Santa Barbara, Californa, is a strange time and place to meet a British prince. However, the Duke of Sussex infamously stepped away from the usual business of being royal. It’s a decision he says he was forced to make. The home wasn’t his, but rather a convenient…
Solar Geoengineering Is Possible with Existing Aircraft, Study Finds
Solar Geoengineering Is Possible with Existing Aircraft, Study Finds Scientists previously thought that solar geoengineering—or releasing particles into the atmosphere to reflect solar rays—would require specialized high-altitude vehicles By Chelsea Harvey & E&E News CLIMATEWIRE | A futuristic geoengineering proposal might be easier to accomplish in the real world than scientists previously thought. The new…
Inside Dannielynn Birkhead’s Surprisingly Normal World
Seventeen years after Anna Nicole Smith’s death, her beloved daughter Dannielynn Birkhead—who just turned 18— is incredibly well adjusted, says dad Larry Birkhead: “She’s a good kid.” Perhaps it’s fitting that Dannielynn Birkhead loves rollercoasters when you consider the tedious climbs and sharp descents that marked her first year of life. There was the untimely passing of half-brother Daniel Smith, who overdosed…
The Trump administration says it will cut EPA staffing to Reagan-era levels
By Alejandra Borunda The Trump administration announced plans for a significant reorganization of the Environmental Protection Agency on Friday, and signaled major cuts in staffing to come – especially for the agency’s scientific research arm. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin said the EPA expects to cut staff to levels similar to the 1980s, when President Ronald…
Federal judge strikes down Trump order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie
Ryan Lucas A federal judge on Friday struck down President Trump’s executive order targeting the prominent law firm of Perkins Coie, finding it unconstitutional and declaring it an attack on the foundational principles of the American legal system. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell is the first to permanently block an executive order…
Self-Driving Cars Have New Rules in the U.S. Here’s Why That Matters
Self-Driving Cars Have New Rules in the U.S. Here’s Why That Matters New rules that trim crash reporting requirements and widen testing access for U.S. robotaxis are hailed as an innovation edge and criticized for eroding safety oversight By Deni Ellis Béchard edited by Dean Visser On April 24, with a brief video and a…
Harry’s emotional avalanche hits the Royal Family
This BBC interview with Prince Harry will become one of those famous moments when television collides with the world of the royals. It was like an emotional avalanche. It began with some stones being kicked over with questions about security and then the interview turned into a spectacular release of what seemed to be a…
Venezuela rejects UN ruling to refrain from holding election in disputed region
Neighboring Guyana has also laid claim to the mineral rich Essequibo, and Venezuela plans to elect officials to govern it Venezuela’s government has said it “categorically” rejected a ruling from the U N’s top court ordering the South American country to refrain from holding elections for officials who supposedly would oversee a resource-rich region in…
Trot on Over to See the Best Kentucky Derby Looks of All Time
The 2025 Kentucky Derby will take place at Churchill Downs in Louisville May 3. But the event isn’t just horseplay. We’re tipping our hat to Travis Kelce, Jessica Simpson and more of the best looks. We’re not horsing around: It’s almost time for the 2025 Kentucky Derby. The event’s 151st outing will take place at…
US designates two powerful Haitian gangs as terrorist groups
Rubio calls Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif ‘threat to US national security’ and says support for groups could lead to charges The United States has designated a powerful Haitian gang alliance, whose members have taken control of almost all the capital city as a “transnational terrorist group”. The criminal coalition known as Viv Ansanm (Live…
Reform UK makes big gains in English local elections
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has made big gains in English local elections, cementing it as a prime challenger to Britain’s traditional main parties. It has won over 660 of around 1,600 council seats contested on Thursday, which were last fought in 2021. Reform has seized control of eight authorities from the Conservatives after elections on…
Under Trump, National Science Foundation Cuts Off All Funding to Scientists
National Science Foundation Halts Funding Indefinitely National Science Foundation staff were told to freeze outgoing funding days after NSF leadership introduced a new policy that requires that grants be screened for “alignment with agency priorities” By Dan Garisto & Nature magazine Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Staff members at the US National Science Foundation…
Justin Bieber’s Pastor Addresses Accusations His Church Is a “Cult”
Justin Bieber’s pastor Judah Smith addressed accusations that his church is actually a “cult” amid speculation about his close friendship with the Grammy-winning singer. Justin Bieber’s longtime pastor is defending his church’s purpose. Amid rumors about the nature of the “What Do You Mean” singer’s friendship with Judah Smith, who leads the nondenominational Christian church…
Medical journals hit with threatening letters from Justice Department
Rob Stein The letters began arriving at medical journals around the country over the last few weeks. “It has been brought to my attention that more and more journals and publications … are conceding that they are partisans in various scientific debates,” wrote Edward R. Martin Jr., the interim U.S. attorney for the District of…
Kelsey Grammar Shares His Sister Karen’s Final Moments Before Stabbing
Kelsey Grammar detailed his sister Karen Grammar’s final moments before her tragic death, nearly 50 years after the 18-year-old was raped and stabbed to death in Colorado. Content warning: This story contains graphic details. Kelsey Grammar is still processing his sister Karen Grammar’s gruesome death 50 years later. On July 8, 1975, the Frasier star,…
Ugandan activist asks HSBC to put ‘lives before profit’ as campaigners target bank’s AGM
Patience Nabukalu, who has experienced climate-related flooding, joins protestors from around the world to deliver a letter to CEO Georges Elhedery criticising the financing of oil, gas and coal projects At nine years old, Patience Nabukalu was devastated when her friend, Kevin, died in severe flooding that hit their Kampala suburb, Nateete, a former wetland.…
The Threatened Fungi on the IUCN Red List Are Important to our Ecology
These Fungi Are Facing Extinction—Here’s Why That Matters As conservation targets, fungi aren’t as appealing as giant pandas. But these scientists explain that the health of Earth’s fungal species is critically important. By Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi & Alex Sugiura Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. Even if you don’t know…
Prince Harry tells BBC he wants ‘reconciliation’ with Royal Family
The Duke of Sussex says he wants “reconciliation” with the rest of the Royal Family, in an emotional interview, in which he said he was “devastated” about losing a legal challenge over his security in the UK. At present Prince Harry said he was cut off from his father King Charles, in a BBC News…
Trump again threatens Harvard’s tax-exempt status, saying, ‘It’s what they deserve!’
Elissa Nadworny On Friday, President Trump again threatened to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status. “We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status. It’s what they deserve!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. His comments marked the latest volley in a battle between the Trump administration and the wealthiest college in the…
‘World’s largest’ electric ship measuring 130 metres launched by Tasmanian boatbuilder
Manufacturer Incat built Hull 096 to run between Buenos Aires and Uruguay, dubbing it the ‘most complex’ project it has ever undertaken An Australian boatbuilder has launched what it describes as the world’s largest battery-power ship, describing it as a “a giant leap forward in sustainable shipping” and the “most important” project it has ever…
Why Princess Charlotte Will Never Be Your Average Spare Heir
Princess Charlotte is turning 10 on May 2 and, unlike some of her second-born predecessors, Kate Middleton and Prince William’s daughter doesn’t have to worry about being given short shrift. Not all that long ago, Princess Charlotte wouldn’t have even been a spare heir. She would’ve been “just” a princess. But with the 2013 Succession to…
‘Breakfast on the Bridges’: a monthly Portland commuter tradition
By Deena Prichep If you choose to commute by bike, there is a lot you might encounter on your morning ride – nice things like spring flowers … or not so nice things, like angry motorists. But on the last Friday of each month, in Portland, Oregon, you’ll also come across fresh-brewed coffee, doughnuts and…
The Scary Implications of U.S. Government Attacks on Medical Journals
Opinion The Scary Implications of U.S. Government Attacks on Medical Journals A Trump-aligned prosecutor’s attack on medical journals is a threat to your health care—and the medical establishment should not comply By Eric Reinhart Senator Joseph McCarthy holds up a letter during a House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearing. In April, I decided to make…
Trump officials ask supreme court to help strip legal status from Venezuelans
Justice department calls on court to hold judge’s order against ending temporary protected status for 300,000 The Trump administration asked the US supreme court on Thursday to intervene and assist in its attempt to strip temporary protected status (TPS) from more than 300,000 Venezuelan migrants in the US, a move that would clear the way…
Jason Ritter Shares One Thing Melanie Lynskey Won’t Share With Him
Jason Ritter exclusively told E! News at the May 1 premiere of Peacock’s Poker Face season two that his wife Melanie Lynskey refuses to share TV show spoilers with him. Jason Ritter can’t seem to crack Melanie Lynskey‘s poker face. The Matlock actor revealed that his wife of five years refuses to share any details about…
Reform and Labour four votes apart as Runcorn goes to recount
The Runcorn and Helsby by-election is on a knife edge, with just four votes separating Reform UK and Labour, the BBC has been told. A full recount is taking place, after party officials said the first tally put Nigel Farage’s party ahead by a tiny margin. The by-election – Sir Keir Starmer’s first major electoral…
Health care for transgender children questioned in 400-page Trump administration report
Selena Simmons-Duffin On Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services published a 400-page document entitled “Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices.” The review’s authors are not being named by HHS. According to a press release, the names “are not initially being made public in order to help maintain the…
News spotlight: Study buoys hope for rare axolotls
Axolotls — the cute and charismatic creatures made famous by the video game “Minecraft” — are in a free fall. Pollution, modern farming and the introduction of invasive fish that prey on the critically endangered species have reduced their habitat to the channels of a single lake in Mexico. But a new study is offering…