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 […]
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. […]
Cosmic Tornado from Star’s Birth Whirls in Dazzling JWST Image
Cosmic Tornado from Star’s Birth Whirls in Dazzling JWST Image This telescope has revealed the whipped-up dust from the birth of a star—and a shining background galaxy—more clearly than ever before By Gayoung Lee edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Join Our Community of Science Lovers! When a star is born, the process leaves behind a […]
Vibrio pectenicida Identified as Cause of Sea Star Wasting Disease Affecting Billions
Mysterious Illness Decimating Sea Stars Finally Identified A devastating bacterium has decimated populations of sunflower sea stars, predators that play a crucial role in their environment By Andrea Tamayo edited by Andrea Gawrylewski A giant sunflower star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) walks across the reef underwater in Point Dume State Beach, California. Join Our Community of Science […]
What Are Light Echoes, and Why Do They Matter?
The UniverseFridays Echoes of Light Illuminate the Cosmos Bizarre phenomena called light echoes create strange, shifting shapes seen in some telescopic images, and help astronomers chart the heavens above By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings Captured by the Hubble Space Telescope in February 2004, this image is part of a sequence showing the celestial […]
South Korea plane crash investigations intensify as questions raised over airport embankment
Families of the dead remain at Muan international airport to demand more information, as criticism of airport layout mounts The investigation into Sunday’s plane crash in South Korea, in which all but two of the 181 people aboard died, intensified on Tuesday as authorities came under pressure to explain how the jetliner lost control and…
Sadiq Khan and Emily Thornberry among politicians on honours list
Senior Labour MP Emily Thornberry and Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, are among a number of politicians named in the New Year Honours list. Thornberry said she was “both honoured and surprised” to have been made a dame. Khan said it was already the “honour of my life to serve the city I love”…
Today Cohosts Have Strong Opinions on Controversial Bedroom Habit
Today show cohosts Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, Craig Melvin and Dylan Dreyer weighed in with their thoughts when it came to a bedroom practice. The Today show is ready to put this debate to bed. Well, sort of. ICYMI, a few of the morning show’s cohosts including Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, Craig Melvin and Dylan…
Melbourne doctor formed cult before using god-like status to rape members’ children
Pradeep Dissanayake forced members to give him money and send hourly messages of praise before he sexually abused two girls, court of appeal says A Melbourne skin doctor established a Buddhist-Christian cult and used his “godlike status” to rape his followers’ children while forcing them to give him money and send hourly text messages of…
‘Miscarriage not dark secret to hide’ says Klass as she becomes MBE
Myleene Klass has been recognised in this year’s New Year Honours for services to women’s health, miscarriage awareness and to charity. Speaking to the BBC, the musician and TV presenter said she was “utterly shocked and surprised” to be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). She added that she was…
How Hailey Bieber & Justin Bieber Celebrated First Christmas With Jack
Hailey Bieber shared a few festive photos of her Christmas celebrations after welcoming her first baby—son Jack, 4 months—with husband Justin Bieber. Justin Bieber doesn’t wanna miss out on this holiday. Indeed, the singer and wife Hailey Bieber appear to be enjoying a cozy holiday season while celebrating their first Christmas with son Jack Bieber,…
New Year 2025 weather: Australia’s east could get stormy as wider heatwave persists
Risk of east coast showers to continue on New Year’s Day, BoM says, while parts of NSW and Queensland set to stay dry and Victoria temperatures easing Some Australians will welcome the new year with showers and storms while others will continue sweltering through heatwave conditions. The risk of severe thunderstorms will continue for parts…
10 Years After Obama’s Opening to Cuba, Despair Replaces Hope
A decade since the United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations — which many believed would transform the island — Cuba is in its worst crisis since Fidel Castro took power. A decade since the United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations — which many believed would transform the island — Cuba is in its…
Nearly 2,300 applicants died waiting for a parent visa to Australia with processing times of up to 31 years
‘Providing an opportunity for people to apply for a visa that will probably never come seems both cruel and unnecessary’, review says Wait times for visas to bring parents to Australia are so long that nearly 2,300 applicants died before receiving a visa in the last three years, according to the home affairs department. The…
Reality TV Couples Check: Who’s Still Together & Who Broke Up in 2024
It’s time to bid farewell to 2024. While some reality stars, like Bravo’s Craig Conover and Paige DeSorbo, said goodbye to old romances this year, others said hello to new ones. Get the full report. Reality check: Relationships have ups and downs, and reality TV couples experienced several highs and lows this year. Take Bachelor…
Post Office campaigners vow to fight on as they get OBEs
Former sub-postmasters turned campaigners in the Post Office scandal have said they will fight on after being made OBEs in the New Year Honours list. Lee Castleton, Seema Misra, Chris Head and Jo Hamilton were honoured for services to justice. The group were thrust into the limelight after an ITV drama showed how hundreds of…
‘I pray to God he comes back’: sister concerned as search for missing hiker in Kosciuszko national park enters sixth day
Friends last saw missing man Hadi Nazari, 24, descending the Hannels Spur Trail on Thursday The search for a 24-year-old hiker missing in Kosciuszko national park since Boxing Day has entered its sixth day, with the man’s sister expressing fears about potential threats to his safety. Hadi Nazari, an experienced hiker whose birthday was on…
Migrants Arrested in Killing of Mexican Immigration Agent
Officials said the agent was attacked by a group of migrants at a checkpoint in the northern state of Chihuahua after asking to see their identification papers. At least two migrants were arrested. By Emiliano Rodríguez Mega and Annie Correal Reporting from Mexico City A federal immigration agent in Mexico was killed on Monday afternoon…
Sofia Richie Shares Parenting Hack for 7-Month-Old Daughter Eloise
Sofia Richie, who welcomed baby Eloise with husband Elliot Grainge in May, recently shared the entertaining parenting trick she discovered. Sofia Richie is saying hello to a stylish way of keeping her daughter Eloise occupied. The 26-year-old—who welcomed her first baby with husband Elliot Grainge earlier this year—recently joked about the entertainment hack she discovered for…
Female pop stars celebrate a record-breaking year in UK charts
From Taylor Swift to Charli XCX, women had a record-breaking year on the British charts, according to new figures from the British Phonographic Institute (BPI). Female pop artists topped the singles chart for an unprecedented 34 weeks – the highest ever figure. Twenty-one of those weeks belonged to Sabrina Carpenter, whose hit singles Espresso, Taste…
Liam Payne Death Investigation: 5 People Charged in Case of Fatal Fall
Two months after Liam Payne’s fatal fall in Argentina, five people have been charged in connection with his death—three being accused of negligent homicide and two being accused of drug supply. Several people are being held accountable for the death of Liam Payne. Two months after the One Direction alum suffered a fatal fall from the…
Blair was urged to delay work rights for eastern Europeans, files reveal
Senior ministers urged the then-Prime Minister Tony Blair to delay granting employment rights to eastern and central European workers when the EU expanded in 2004, newly-released files have revealed. In February that year, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw pointed out that Britain was alone amongst the bigger EU members in offering a “concession”. The concession meant…
‘Moving to the mountaintops’: rising seas displace tens of thousands in Papua New Guinea
Gulf province councillor says growing numbers are leaving, in what climate activist describes as a ‘humanitarian crisis’ Two years ago fisher Siri James lived on the southern coast of Papua New Guinea, in a small village near Pariva beach. But as the tides continued to rise, James was forced to move further in from the…
Israeli Military Forces Patients and Staff to Leave Hospital in Northern Gaza
Middle East Crisis The hospital, Kamal Adwan, has been caught in the middle of Israel’s monthslong offensive against Hamas militants in northern Gaza. By Adam Rasgon and Abu Bakr Bashir Reporting from Jerusalem The Israeli military forced patients and staff members to leave one of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza on Friday, leaving…
Could AI robots replace human astronauts in space?
On Christmas Eve, an autonomous spacecraft flew past the Sun, closer than any human-made object before it. Swooping through the atmosphere, Nasa’s Parker Solar Probe was on a mission to discover more about the Sun, including how it affects space weather at Earth. This was a landmark moment for humanity – but one without any…
Canadian Ministers Meet Trump Aides at Mar-a-Lago to Discuss Border, and Tariffs
Trump Transition President-elect Donald J. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian exports unless the country stops the flow of migrants and fentanyl to the U.S. By Ian Austen and Lisa Friedman Ian Austen reported from Ottawa, and Lisa Friedman from West Palm Beach, Fla. Two top Canadian ministers met on Friday with members…
Shameless Star Cozies Up to Paris Hilton’s Brother Conrad in Xmas Pic
Shameless star Emma Kenney celebrated Christmas with Paris Hilton’s brother Conrad Hilton, igniting rumors of a romance between the two. Paris Hilton’s younger brother Conrad Hilton may have a new lady in his life. And not just any lady, as he fueled relationship rumors with Shameless alum Emma Kenney in a new photo taken over…
South Korean court issues arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol
The warrant was sought over Yoon’s controversial and short-lived decision to impose martial law early in December A South Korean court has approved an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been impeached and suspended from power over his decision to impose martial law on 3 December, investigating authorities said. The Corruption Investigation…
New Year’s Eve fireworks 2024: the best places to watch NYE celebrations around Australia
Night skies will light up on New Year’s Eve to welcome in 2025. Here’s your guide to child-friendly shows plus what time and where to see the fireworks in Sydney, Melbourne and across the country Night skies across Australia will light up on New Year’s Eve to herald the beginning of 2025. Whether you are…
Laura Kenny: Can elite sport damage women’s fertility?
Olympic gold-medallist Dame Laura Kenny is Britain’s most successful female athlete. She has two young boys but also had a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy, and has always wondered if the physical toll of elite sport had damaged her fertility. The BBC News Health team has investigated. Dame Laura, 32, gave her body to cycling…
Geoffrey Owens Sparks Debate for Donating Nicki Minaj’s $25K “Handout”
After Geoffrey Owens shared he was having financial struggles, the Cosby Show alum raised eyebrows by revealing he donated a $25,000 “handout” that he recieved from Nicki Minaj to charity. Geoffrey Owens‘ response to a star’s generous offering is raising eyebrows. After he admitted to experiencing financial hardships back in 2018, the Cosby Show alum—who…
Monday Briefing
Jimmy Carter dies at 100. By Natasha Frost Jimmy Carter, who from 1977 to 1981 served as the 39th president of the U.S., died yesterday at his home in Plains, Ga. At 100, he was the longest-living president in American history. Here’s our obituary. Carter was a lifelong farmer who worked with his hands building…
Russia and Ukraine swap at least 300 prisoners in exchange deal
Some of the freed Ukrainians had been held since war’s early days, while Russians were captured in Ukraine’s Kursk offensive Russia and Ukraine have carried out a major prisoner exchange, with at least 150 people from each side returning home before New Year’s Eve, in a swap partly brokered by the United Arab Emirates. “The…
Who’s dropped in on No 10? Visitors’ books made public for first time
Visitors’ books from Downing Street signed by some of the most famous figures in recent history have been made public for the first time. World leaders and members of the Royal Family are among the names in the three red leather, gilt-tooled volumes being released by the National Archives, spanning 1970 to 2003. The names…
Cute Workout Clothes for Crushing Your 2025 Fitness Goals
From supportive sports bras to compression leggings, these cute workout clothes will actually make you want to hit the gym. The products featured in this article are from brands available in NBCUniversal Checkout. E! makes a commission on purchases. Like everyone else, you’ve probably made a list of all the New Year’s resolutions you want to…
South Korea Clears Way to Detain President in Martial Law Inquiry
The police are investigating whether President Yoon Suk Yeol tried to lead an insurrection when he declared martial law and plunged the country into crisis. By Qasim Nauman and Choe Sang-Hun Reporting from Seoul A court in South Korea cleared the way for the police to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning on Tuesday,…
Welsh Ambulance Service declares critical incident
The Welsh Ambulance Service has declared a critical incident because of increased demand across the 999 service and extensive hospital handover delays. It said more than 340 calls were waiting to be answered across Wales at the time the critical incident was declared on Monday evening. In addition, more than half of the trust’s ambulance…
Live Aid campaigner Bob Geldof was ‘scathing about African leaders’, files reveal
Singer urged Tony Blair not to appoint African co-chair to commission on aid, UK government papers show The Live Aid campaigner Bob Geldof urged Tony Blair not to appoint an African co-chair to the UK-led organisation working to overhaul international aid to the continent because he thought African leadership was “very weak” on the issue,…
Craig Conover Shared Plans to Marry Paige DeSorbo Weeks Before Breakup
Three weeks before Paige DeSorbo revealed her breakup with Craig Conover, the Southern Charm star shared that marriage and kids were likely in their future, saying, “We’re playing the long game.” It looks like Craig Conover‘s relationship didn’t turn out exactly how he planned. Three weeks before Paige DeSorbo revealed she and the Southern Charm…
Jimmy Carter will have funeral services in Plains, Ga., Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
Stephen Fowler ATLANTA — Funeral services for former president Jimmy Carter have been released, spanning six days, three cities and multiple stops at places that held significance during his life. Carter died Sunday at the age of 100. In a release from the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, the group tasked with coordinating state funerals,…
Littler survives scare to reach Worlds quarter-finals
Fourth seed Luke Littler is highest-seeded player left in his side of the draw Teenager Luke Littler survived a massive scare but beat Ryan Joyce 4-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship. The 17-year-old was again, as has been the case throughout the tournament, far from his best, particularly on doubles,…
Kate Beckinsale Says She Was Forced Into Photo Shoot After Miscarriage
Kate Beckinsale detailed some of the alleged mistreatment she faced in Hollywood, including a demand to pose for a photo shoot the day after a miscarriage. Kate Beckinsale is getting candid on some of her harder moments in Hollywood. In the wake of Blake Lively‘s legal complaint against her It Ends With Us costar Justin…
Labour government discussed Tanzania asylum camp plan in 2004, files show
Newly released files show proposals to divert £2m – earmarked to prevent conflict in Africa – to fund scheme Tony Blair’s government discussed diverting £2m earmarked to prevent conflict in Africa in order to fund a controversial pilot scheme to process and house asylum-seekers in Tanzania, newly released government files show. Under the scheme, Britain…
China Hacked Treasury Dept. in ‘Major’ Breach, U.S. Says
By Ana Swanson Reporting from Washington The announcement comes after revelations in recent months that China had penetrated deep into U.S. telecommunications systems, gaining access to the phone conversations and text messages of U.S. officials and others. In a letter informing lawmakers of the episode, the Treasury Department said that it had been notified on…
Auroras May Light Up New Year’s Sky after Solar Outbursts
Auroras May Light Up New Year’s Sky after Solar Outbursts Will still more auroras ring out 2024, a year marked by the celestial displays? By Meghan Bartels edited by Lee Billings The northern lights seen over Lindisfarne Castle in England on October 10, 2024. The sun is bidding farewell to 2024 with a bang—or rather…
In Jimmy Carter’s hometown of Plains, people remember the former president
By Grant Blankenship PLAINS, Ga. — By late Monday morning, flags were at half-staff in this small downtown and the decorations were coming down—early. “This next week was gonna be our packing up Christmas,” said Jillian Williams, a fixture of the business community in this strip of shops by the railroad tracks where holly boughs…
Kristin Cavallari Sets Record Straight on Kardashian-Jenner Beef
Kristin Cavallari clarified whether she has beef with the Kardashian-Jenners after calling out Scott Disick for allegedly ending her friendship with Kourtney Kardashian. Kristin Cavallari is sharing her side of the story. After blaming Scott Disick for her alleged falling out with Kourtney Kardashian, Kristin set the record straight on their dynamic, saying she doesn’t “really…
Trinidad and Tobago Declares State of Emergency Over Rising Crime
To curb gang killings and a rise in homicides, the measure empowers the military to make arrests and allows the authorities to enter suspects’ homes without warrants and deny them bail. By Frances Robles and Prior Beharry Prior Beharry reported from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The government of Trinidad and Tobago, facing an…
US Treasury says it was hacked by China in ‘major incident’
The breach occurred in early December and was made public in a letter penned by the Treasury Department to lawmakers notifying them of the incident. The US agency characterised the breach as a “major incident”, and said it had been working with the FBI and other agencies to investigate the impact. A spokesman for the…
Olaf Scholz: German election ‘will not be decided by social media owners’
Chancellor’s New Year’s Eve address follows Elon Musk’s endorsement of German far-right party AfD on X The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has urged voters not to let the “owners of social media channels” decide next year’s snap election, after Elon Musk repeatedly endorsed the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). In a New Year’s Eve…
Gareth Southgate, Stephen Fry and Olympians lead New Year Honours list
Former England football manager Gareth Southgate and actor Stephen Fry have both been knighted in a New Year Honours list that also recognises the stars of the Olympic Games. 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, who receives an MBE, is one of several medallists to be honoured following the summer games in Paris. Mayor of London Sadiq…
Kristin Cavallari Reveals She’s Dating Athlete After Mark Estes Split
Kristin Cavallari shared she’s dating a new man—a retired athlete in his 40s—after her breakup with Mark Estes. Kristin Cavallari has a very big update. The Very Cavallari star—who split with TikToker Mark Estes in September after seven months of dating—shared that she’s dating a new man. As Kristin admitted on the Dec. 30 episode…
Former President Jimmy Carter: The ‘Fresh Air’ interviews (Part 1)
Terry Gross The 39th president spoke with Terry Gross in 1993, ’95, ’96 and ’98 about growing up on a Georgia farm, entering politics and his advocacy for human rights and peace. Carter died Dec. 29 at age 100. TERRY GROSS, HOST: This is FRESH AIR. I’m Terry Gross. Today we remember Jimmy Carter and…
Israel and Hamas Each Claim Wins in Fierce Fighting in Northern Gaza
Middle East Crisis As the renewed clashes in the north of the enclave neared the three-month mark, there was no sign of them abating. By Ephrat Livni After nearly three months of an intensified Israeli military campaign in northern Gaza to quell what Israel has said is a Hamas resurgence, fighting raged unabated on Monday,…
Sixty-mile drag mark found near damaged Baltic Sea cable, says Finland
Electricity cable link to Estonia was damaged on Christmas Day in suspected Russian act of sabotage Finnish investigators say they have found a seabed trail stretching almost 100km (about 60 miles) around the site of an underwater electricity cable that was damaged on Christmas Day in a suspected act of Russian sabotage. The ship under…
Court rejects Trump appeal in E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse and defamation case
Russell Lewis A federal appeals court has rejected an appeal by Donald Trump after a jury decision that he sexually abused and defamed E. Jean Carroll. After a nine-day civil trial in 2023, a jury determined that the plaintiff, E. Jean Carroll, was sexually abused by Donald Trump at a Manhattan department store in 1996.…
How Frazzled Parents Can Be More Present with Kids during the Holidays
How Frazzled Parents Can Be More Present with Kids during the Holidays Future-oriented thinking, rather than careening from moment to moment, can help parents have more meaningful moments with their children By Julia Felton, Crystal Cederna & The Conversation US The following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the…
Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker Share Family Pic With Baby Rocky
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker shared a new blended family photo from their Christmas Eve celebration that featured six of their children, including the couple’s 13-month-old son Rocky Barker. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker‘s holiday season was a family affair. The Kardashians star and Blink-182 drummer shared a new blended family photo from their Christmas…
Tuesday Briefing: Remembering Jimmy Carter
Plus, the best of 2024. By Gaya Gupta Jimmy Carter, who rose from a peanut farm to become the 39th U.S. president, died on Sunday at his home in Georgia. He was 100. While his presidency is remembered more for its failures than for its successes, his tenure nevertheless included notable achievements, particularly in foreign…
Havana syndrome patients reportedly promised healthcare that never came
Letter allegedly written by US official shows contradictions in how government handled mysterious health incidents A leaked letter purportedly written by a senior US military official and published on social media on Monday highlights stark contradictions in the government’s approach to victims of Havana syndrome – a mysterious series of health incidents affecting personnel at…
Iran confirms arrest of Italian journalist
Iranian authorities have confirmed for the first time that Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was arrested in the country on the grounds of “violation of the Islamic Republic’s laws”. It comes as a US state department spokesperson told Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica that Ms Sala’s case could be linked to the recent arrest of an…
Jimmy Carter’s Quiet but Monumental Work in Global Health
Jimmy Carter (1924-2024) In his decades as a former president, he and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, helped bring lifesaving treatments and sanitation to poor people around the world. By Stephanie Nolen Stephanie Nolen, who covers global health, has observed the Carter Center’s health and aid projects in more than a dozen countries. Jimmy Carter’s five…
5 people have been charged in the death of Liam Payne
By The Associated Press BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — An Argentine judge confirmed charges against five people in connection with the death of Liam Payne, a former member of musical group One Direction, and ordered preventive prison for two of them for having supplied him with drugs. A judicial officer confirmed Monday the judge’s decision…
Zac Efron Reacts to Minnesota Vikings’ High School Musical Dance
Zac Efron had a winning response to Minnesota Vikings players dancing to High School Musical‘s “We’re All in This Together” while celebrating during their game against the Green Bay Packers. Here and now, it’s time for celebration. Once again, the Minnesota Vikings’ defense didn’t stick to the status quo and delivered yet another viral on-the-field…
Share Covid data, World Health Organization tells China
The World Health Organization has urged China to share data on the origins of the Covid pandemic, five years on from its start in the city of Wuhan. “This is a moral and scientific imperative,” the WHO said in a statement to mark what it called the “milestone” anniversary. “Without transparency, sharing, and co-operation among…