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. […]
Doug Ford: rightwing populist becomes Canada’s anti-Trump figurehead
The Ontario premier says he’s ready to stand up to Trump over tariffs – will that yield a third straight election win? The day Donald Trump won the United States presidential election was a happy one for Doug Ford. The conservative politician who oversees Canada’s most populous province – and its largest economy – made…
Trump’s Pentagon Is Making a Big Mistake in Denying Climate Change
Opinion ArgonautWednesdays The U.S. Military Will Be Less Prepared to Fight if Climate Cuts Proceed The U.S. Department of Defense suddenly pretending that climate change isn’t real is penny-wise and pound foolish By Dan Vergano edited by Megha Satyanarayana A military police officer walks near a destroyed gate in Tyndall Air Force Base, in Florida…
What we know about US-Ukraine minerals deal
Ukraine says it has agreed to the terms of a major deal that would give the US access to its deposits of rare earth minerals. Kyiv hopes the deal – which would give the US a financial stake in the country – will encourage the White House to protect Ukraine if the war with Russia…
U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal Draft Features Vague Reference to Security Guarantees
Russia-Ukraine War A copy of the agreement obtained by The New York Times says that the United States “supports Ukraine’s effort to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace.” By Andrew E. Kramer and Constant Méheut Andrew Kramer reported from Kyiv, Ukraine, and Constant Méheut from Warsaw. A draft of an agreement calling for…
‘Stand Up for Science’ Rallies Will Protest Trump Attacks on Research
‘Stand Up for Science’ Rallies Will Protest Trump Attacks on Research Amid President Donald Trump’s attacks on government scientists and science funding, researchers are arranging rallies to “Stand Up for Science” in Washington, D.C., and nationwide on March 7 By Meghan Bartels edited by Dean Visser March for Science rally in Lafayette, Indiana, on April…
The Price Is Right Secrets That Will Leave You Jumping For Joy
Come on down…and celebrate The Price Is Right‘s 10,000th episode Feb. 26 by discovering the actual behind-the-scene secrets about America’s longest-running game show. “Come on down, you’re the next contestant on The Price Is Right!” If you grew up in the ’80s or ’90s, you likely dreamed of hearing those words in person as you…
What if I’m missing a form? Attorneys answer tax questions from NPR’s audience
By Marielle Segarra , Malaka Gharib For many people, filing taxes to the Internal Revenue Service is a befuddling process. There’s a lot of jargon. The forms can be confusing to fill out. And there can be financial and legal penalties if you make a mistake. That’s why New York-based tax attorneys Hana Boruchov and…
UK suspends aid to Rwanda over support for DRC rebels
The UK government will cease attending events hosted by Rwanda, as well as pausing aid to all but the ‘poorest and most vulnerable’ The UK government has announced it will cease attending events hosted by the Rwandan government and suspend aid to the east African nation over advances by Kigali-backed rebels in the Democratic Republic…
Ahmed al-Shara: The Evolution of Syria’s New Leader
Syria After Civil War Ahmed al-Shara’s unlikely path from membership in Al Qaeda to head of state has raised questions about how he intends to govern Syria. Ahmed al-Shara’s unlikely path from membership in Al Qaeda to head of state has raised questions about how he intends to govern Syria. Ahmed al-Shara, who went by…
Chris Mason: PM upends Labour manifesto to confront Europe’s new reality
A big moment and a big decision, ahead of a big meeting. The government’s announcement that it will crank up defence spending and shrivel the international aid budget amounts to a big shift in strategy, posture and political positioning. Take a look at the Labour Party’s election manifesto, written less than a year ago, if…
Liam Payne’s Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) Revealed at Time of Death
More questions are getting answered in the investigation into Liam Payne‘s death. Over four months after he fatally fell from his hotel balcony in Argentina, details of the One Direction member’s have been revealed. And the test results showed that Payne had a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .27 percent at the time of his…
Transgender Youth Have Better Emotional Health after Taking Hormones, New Study Finds
Transgender Youth Have Better Emotional Health after Taking Hormones, New Study Finds Hormone therapy improves transgender young people’s well-being and social relationships, but Trump’s recent executive order and state bans threaten to take it away By Tyler Santora edited by Tanya Lewis A demonstrator at the Rise Up for Trans Youth rally against President Donald Trump’s executive…
Anxious Prayers as Pope Francis Lingers in Critical Condition
Pope Francis Eleven days after the pope was hospitalized, speculation is mounting and prayers for his recovery verge on a vigil. Eleven days after the pope was hospitalized, speculation is mounting and prayers for his recovery verge on a vigil. Several thousand took part in a rosary prayer for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square…
Ukraine official says minerals deal agreed with US
Ukraine has agreed the terms of a major minerals deal with the US, a senior official in Kyiv has told the BBC. “We have indeed agreed it with a number of good amendments and see it as a positive outcome,” the official said, without providing any further details. Media reports say Washington has dropped initial…
Federal board orders government to reinstate six workers fired by Trump
Andrea Hsu Six fired federal employees must get their jobs back, at least through April 10, according to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the independent federal agency that hears employee complaints against the government. The MSPB issued a 45-day stay of the terminations Tuesday evening in response to a request from the U.S. Office…
Chile hit by major blackout, leaving millions without electricity
State of emergency and overnight curfew declared after blackout strands commuters and knocks out traffic lights Authorities in Chile have declared a state of emergency and overnight curfew after a sweeping blackout stranded commuters, knocked out traffic lights, paralyzed countless businesses and left millions of people in the South American country without electricity. The National…
Ex-US security officials urge funding for science research to keep up with China
Appeal from officials, including two senior figures from Trump’s first term, comes amid reports National Science Foundation’s budget will be slashed Chuck Hagel, the former US defense secretary, and other former US national security officials, including two senior figures from Donald Trump’s first term, on Tuesday warned that China was outpacing the US in critical…
Rhiannon Giddens is the latest artist to cancel Kennedy Center gig
Elizabeth Blair Folk musician Rhiannon Giddens announced on social media that she has moved her May 11 concert – originally scheduled for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts – to a different venue in Washington, D.C. The show will now take place on the same date at The Anthem, another venue in…
Starmer cuts aid to fund increase in defence spending
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has set out plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027, as peace talks to end the war in Ukraine gather pace. The PM said he would cut the UK’s international aid budget to fund the rise in defence spending, which is currently 2.3% of GDP.…
Trump Orders U.S. Scientists to Skip Key IPCC Climate Report Meeting
Trump Orders U.S. Scientists to Skip Key Climate Meeting The U.S. is skipping a meeting for the next IPCC report, a sweeping science assessment on the current state of climate change, raising concerns about delays By Sara Schonhardt, Zack Colman, Zia Weise & E&E News CLIMATEWIRE | The Trump administration’s abrupt retreat from global climate…
BBC sorry for ‘missed opportunities’ over DJ Tim Westwood’s ‘bullying behaviour’
An independent report into what the BBC knew about Mr Westwood’s conduct was published on Tuesday, highlighting a series of incidents and allegations it said amount to a “considerable body of evidence” which it failed to investigate properly. The report added the BBC had “inadequate record keeping and communication with people who raised complaints or…
Activists call for state of emergency in Nigeria over gender-based violence
Deaths of 22 women reported this year include 240% rise in January, campaigners say, as abusers act ‘with impunity’ Almost two dozen women have died due to gender-based violence across Nigeria in 2025 alone, activists and civil society organisations have said in a call for a state of emergency. According to Femicide Observatory, run by…
How is Pope Francis doing? The Vatican says he rested well and met church officials
By Fatima Al-Kassab , Willem Marx ROME — Pope Francis “rested well throughout the night,” according to a statement from the Vatican Tuesday morning, as he appears to make a slight recovery from double pneumonia and other ailments. He has also resumed some of his duties as pontiff while in the Gemelli hospital in Italy’s…
Chris Pratt Reacts to Patrick Schwarzenegger’s NSFW White Lotus Scenes
Chris Pratt shared his honest reaction to seeing brother-in-law Patrick Schwarzenegger’s nude scenes in The White Lotus season 3 during an exclusive interview with E! News. Chris Pratt isn’t denying his wandering eyes. The Marvel actor—who is married to Katherine Schwarzenegger—shared his honest reaction to those scenes in The White Lotus which have seen his…
Facing Trump’s Hostility, Ukraine Weighs Its Options. But They Are Few.
Russia-Ukraine War There is a broad reckoning in Ukraine: Washington can no longer be relied upon as a supporter. But Kyiv still has agency on the battlefield and can seek increased support from Europe. By Constant Méheut Reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine The antagonistic messaging President Trump has delivered to Ukraine since taking office has presented…
Why Widening Highways Doesn’t Fix Traffic—But Congestion Pricing Can
Widening Highways Doesn’t Fix Traffic. Here’s What Can Highway widening projects usually don’t solve congestion, but less expensive toll programs known as congestion pricing can. Here’s why By Allison Parshall edited by Dean Visser Interstate 45 is getting a $13-billion makeover in Houston. The project aims to reduce congestion by adding new lanes—a common story…
Europe Prepares to Face Russia as Trump’s America Steps Back
Russia-Ukraine War European leaders visited Kyiv to mark the war’s third anniversary. The show of solidarity in Ukraine on Monday comes at a head-spinning moment for the continent. By Kim BarkerJeanna Smialek and Steven Erlanger Kim Barker reported from Kyiv, Ukraine, while Jeanna Smialek reported from Brussels and Steven Erlanger reported from Berlin. President Trump…
Health care workers are rushing to learn about immigration law in case of ICE raids
From By Jackie Fortiér The lobby at the St. John’s Community Health clinic in South Los Angeles bustles with patients. But community health worker Ana Ruth Varela is worried that it’s about to get a lot quieter. Many patients, she said, are afraid to leave their homes. “The other day I spoke with one of…
Woman charged in dating app druggings and one death of older men in Las Vegas
FBI says Aurora Phelps met men online for dating then drugged them and stole cars and money A woman used online dating apps to lure at least four older men to meet her in person, drugged them with sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in a “sinister” romance scheme, FBI officials in Las…
Energy bills to rise by more than expected in April
Energy bills for a typical household will rise by more than £100 a year in April under regulator Ofgem’s new cap – a higher-than-expected increase adding pressure on people’s finances. The 6.4% increase means a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity will see their annual bill rise by £111 a year to…
US sides with Russia in UN resolutions on Ukraine
The US has twice sided with Russia in votes at the UN to mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the Trump administration’s change of stance on the war. First the two countries opposed a European-drafted resolution condemning Moscow’s actions and supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, which was passed by the UN…
What Trump’s Deportation Plans Mean for Central America
Trump Administration News Analysis Deporting migrants to Central American countries removes many political and legal hurdles for the Trump administration. How far can the practice go before these nations reach a breaking point? By Annie Correal Reporting from Mexico City Central American countries have long taken back their own citizens deported from the United States.…
Derecho Wind Storm Damaged Houston Tall Buildings More Than Hurricane Beryl
A Derecho Damaged Skyscrapers More Than A Hurricane Did A powerful derecho last year caused more damage to Houston’s tallest buildings than Hurricane Beryl. Scientists wanted to know why By Chelsea Harvey & E&E News Shattered and boarded up windows are seen on the side of the Wells Fargo Plaza building in Houston, Texas, on…
M23 militia’s advance in eastern DRC has killed 7,000 since January, UN told
DRC prime minister tells human rights council fighting has left about 450,000 without shelter after camps destroyed About 7,000 people have died in fighting in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since Rwanda-backed M23 rebels started renewed advances in January, the DRC’s prime minister has said. At a high-level meeting of the…
Kylie Jenner Paying Funeral Costs of Hairstylist Jesus Guerrero
Kylie Jenner will pay for funeral costs and other expenses for her late friend and hairstylist Jesus Guerrero after his unexpected death at 34, according to multiple outlets. Kylie Jenner is stepping in to support the family of her late hairstylist. After Jesus Guerrero died unexpectedly at the age of 34, the Kardashians star plans…
Federal agencies still can’t agree on ‘What did you do last week?’ email
By Shannon Bond , Stephen Fowler , Andrea Hsu , Pien Huang Federal agencies were split on whether employees should comply with Elon Musk’s directive to list five accomplishments in the past week, sowing more confusion as the midnight deadline for responding loomed, according to emails seen by NPR, and as the agency overseeing the request appeared to…
How Friedrich Merz Will Try to Lead Europe Despite a Weakened Hand
news analysis The likely next chancellor is unpopular, and his country’s economy has stalled. But his penchant for risks could help lead to a European showdown with President Trump. By Jim Tankersley and Christopher F. Schuetze Reporting from Berlin Germany’s presumptive next chancellor could be weak from the start, for all sorts of reasons. He…
Trump Denied Knowledge of Project 2025—Now His Health Care Plans Follow It Closely
Trump Denied Knowledge of Project 2025—Now His Health Care Plans Follow It Closely During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump distanced himself from the conservative governing plan Project 2025. But it’s increasingly viewed as a blueprint for his administration’s plans for federal health programs By Stephanie Armour & KFF Health News Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of…
Missing British businessman’s body found in Kenyan forest
Campbell Scott, a senior director at Fico, was reported missing while in Nairobi for a three-day conference Police searching for a British businessman missing in Kenya have recovered a body, found in a sack in scrubland about 60 miles from Nairobi, reports said. Campbell Scott, 58, a senior director at the data analytics company Fico,…
Jana Kramer Confesses Her Biggest Plastic Surgery Regret
One Tree Hill alum Jana Kramer discussed her past cosmetic work, including getting breast implants, and shared that she regrets having the procedure to appease anyone other than herself. Jana Kramer has to get something off her chest. The One Tree Hill alum recently shared insight into her past cosmetic procedures, including Botox and getting…
Zelensky says he hopes to end Ukraine war ‘this year’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said “we hope that we can finish this war this year” on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. But he warned that Ukraine needs security guarantees to prevent Moscow returning, suggesting EU and Nato membership will help. Russia has consistently opposed the idea of Ukraine joining Nato. Earlier, Zelensky…
Southport attack yoga teacher: ‘If I didn’t get out, everyone was going to die’
A yoga teacher who almost died in the Southport attack has described for the first time the desperate moments when she helped several children run to safety, despite having been stabbed five times. Leanne Lucas told BBC Panorama how she called 999 as the attacker chased after them. “I just knew that if I didn’t…
Dwyane Wade’s Daughter Zaya Wade Shares Insight Into Their Sweet Bond
Zaya Wade gave an inside look at her relationship with dad Dwyane Wade and how they bond while binge-watching Heartstopper together. Zaya Wade has a full-court bond with her father Dwyane Wade. And the father-daughter duo has put their teamwork on display with the launch of Translatable—a online community of support, information, and resources for…
Is Zelensky’s Approach to Trump Hurting Ukraine?
Russia-Ukraine War news analysis Through three years of wartime leadership, Ukraine’s president has mostly played weak hands wisely. But his approach has fallen flat with the Trump administration. By Andrew E. Kramer Reporting from Kyiv. Andrew E. Kramer has reported on war between Russia and Ukraine for three years. When the secretary of the treasury,…
Why It’s Important to Talk about Race with Children
Opinion The Science of ParentingMondays Why It’s Important to Talk about Race with Children Children start learning about race and racism as early as preschool. Talking about race early, however difficult, will help them become more antiracist By Sylvia Perry edited by Megha Satyanarayana Cut through the claims: Get email alerts for this weekly column…
Thousands of children in England accused of witchcraft in past decade
Figures emerge as Kindoki Witch Boy film tells true story of Mardoche Yembi who underwent an exorcism as a child Thousands of children in England have been accused of witchcraft over the past decade, according to new figures that come alongside a film released on Monday. Faith-based abuse is a worldwide phenomenon but experts found…
Pope rests in his 10th day of hospitalization but remains in critical condition
By Ruth Sherlock , Willem Marx , Joe Hernandez ROME — The Vatican announced Monday morning that Pope Francis had a “restful” night in the Italian hospital where he’s been receiving treatment for a complex respiratory infection that includes double pneumonia and bronchitis. “The night went well; the Pope slept and is resting,” according to…
More than 150,000 Canadians sign petition to revoke Musk’s citizenship
Parliamentary petition launched due to billionaire’s link to Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to conquer Canada More than 150,000 people from Canada have signed a parliamentary petition calling for their country to strip Elon Musk’s Canadian citizenship because of the tech billionaire’s alliance with Donald Trump, who has spent his second US presidency repeatedly threatening…
3 years on, here’s what to keep an eye on in the Ukraine war — and efforts to end it
By Charles Maynes , Joanna Kakissis , Eleanor Beardsley KYIV, TBILISI AND PARIS — Nearly every day for the last three years, Russian drones and missiles have hit Ukraine, striking power plants, hospitals, schools and homes. “This is part of our life,” says Volodymyr Silvanovskyi, a 63-year-old customs official from the northeastern city of Sumy.…
Carl Zimmer on His New Book Air-Borne and What Public Health Experts Learned from the COVID Pandemic
The Air around Us Is Full of Life By Rachel Feltman, Naeem Amarsy, Jeffery DelViscio & Fonda Mwangi [CLIP: Theme music] Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. You probably don’t spend too much time thinking about the air you breathe—at least relative to the amount of time you spend actually breathing…
Expanding West Bank Campaign, Israel Sends Tanks for First Time in Decades
Middle East Tensions Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said that 40,000 Palestinian residents displaced from militant hotbeds would not be allowed to return to their homes. By Isabel Kershner Reporting from Jerusalem Israel announced on Sunday that it was expanding its weekslong military operation against armed Palestinian groups in the occupied West Bank and had…
3 More Bird Flu Infections in People as Chicken Deaths Affect Egg Industry
The Latest on Bird Flu in Humans, Chickens, and More Bird flu headlines include three new human cases, millions of dead birds in poultry flocks and new personnel moves from the Trump administration By Meghan Bartels edited by Lauren J. Young We’re regularly rounding up the latest news on avian influenza. Here’s what happened recently.…
SAG Awards: Why Demi Moore Took a Long Pause in Her Acceptance Speech
At the SAG Awards 2025 ceremony Feb. 23, Demi Moore took home the trophy for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her performance in The Substance. Demi Moore‘s award season has been full throttle. The Substance star took home the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role…
Colombian city faces worst violence in decades as armed groups wreak havoc
Cúcuta imposes curfew as National Liberation Army (ELN) clashes with army in province bordering Venezuela Residents of a violence-torn province in northern Colombia are bracing for further bloodshed as a conflict between rival armed groups spread to a regional capital in scenes residents said they had not witnessed since the cartel unrest of the 1990s.…
Germany’s conservatives celebrate, but far right enjoy record result
Friedrich Merz’s conservatives have won Germany’s election, well ahead of rival parties but short of the 30% vote-share they had expected. “Let’s celebrate tonight and in the morning we’ll get to work,” he told cheering supporters. He said he was “aware of the responsibility that now lies ahead” of him. The other winner was the…
Trump officials will put 4,700 USAID employees on leave and eliminate 1,600 jobs
By Fatma Tanis , Melody Schreiber The Trump administration is putting nearly all of USAID’s 4,700 full-time employees on paid administrative leave at midnight Sunday and will subsequently terminate 1,600 of those positions as part of a “reduction in force,” according to a memo that was widely distributed to agency staff Sunday afternoon and later…
Pope Francis Suffering From Kidney Failure in Addition to Pneumonia
The kidney ailment appears to be in an early stage, the Vatican said, adding that the pontiff is still receiving high flows of oxygen for his respiratory illness. By Elisabetta Povoledo Reporting from Rome Pope Francis is suffering from “initial, mild kidney failure” in addition to the serious respiratory illness that has left the 88-year-old…
‘City Killer’ Asteroid’s Earth Impact Risk Rises to Highest Ever Recorded
‘City Killer’ Asteroid’s Earth Impact Risk Rises and Falls Again Asteroid 2024 YR4’s risk of hitting Earth is shifting with new data, astronomers say By Lee Billings edited by Dean Visser The asteroid 2024 YR4 probably won’t come nearly as close to Earth anytime soon as the space rock in this artist’s illustration. But astronomers…
Zelensky Pushes Back Against U.S. Mineral Deal and Announces European Summit
Russia-Ukraine War The Ukrainian leader also said he would step down if Ukraine was allowed to join NATO, though it was unclear if he was serious or not. By Constant Méheut and Andrew E. Kramer Reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed back on Sunday against demands from the Trump administration for billions in…
SAG Awards 2025 Red Carpet Fashion: See Every Look (Live Updates)
For the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards held on Feb. 23, some of your favorite celebs showed up and showed out on the red carpet. Lights, camera, action. The 2025 Screen Guild Actors Awards ceremony is almost finally here—and in honor of the occasion, many of Hollywood’s biggest stars have stepped out to celebrate at the Shrine Auditorium and…