What Is a Galaxy?
The UniverseFridays What Is a Galaxy? Galaxies come in many shapes and sizes, and trying to define them is difficult By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings A view of the spiral galaxy NGC 3982, as seen by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Galaxies come in many different variations, but astronomers classify them into four main […]
The Strange and Surprising History of the Once-Rejected Zero
Zero Is Foundational to Modern Mathematics. But It Was Rejected for Centuries By Manon Bischoff edited by Daisy Yuhas I’m a zero at mental arithmetic. It’s true—I struggle with this skill—but I want to focus on the phrase itself. In our language, we often equate zero with something negative. But zero is the only real […]
Ukraine’s allies push for 30-day ceasefire starting Monday
Joanna Kakissis KYIV – Four European leaders joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv today in pressing Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire – or face more sanctions on Russia. “The ceasefire must be comprehensive: in the air, at sea and on land,” Zelenskyy told reporters. “It is quite possible to […]
Jury selection in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sex trafficking trial begins today
Isabella Gomez Sarmiento Jury selection for the trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will begin in New York City today. The media mogul, who’s been in custody since his arrest last September, faces criminal charges for sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transporting to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty on all charges. The selection […]
Mysterious Glowing Structure Discovered Near Solar System
Giant, Glowing Gas Cloud Discovered Just 300 Light-Years Away An enormous glowing cloud that contains approximately 3,400 solar masses worth of gas has been discovered near the solar system By Keith Cooper & SPACE.com A crescent-shaped gas cloud has been spotted on the edge of the so-called Local Bubble, shown here in this artist’s illustration […]
Mozambique Is at a Crossroads as a New President Is Sworn In
Unrest in Mozambique Unrest in Mozambique Unrest in Mozambique Daniel Chapo was sworn in at a time of widespread anger directed at his party, Frelimo, which has led the country for 50 years and was accused of rigging the election. Daniel Chapo was sworn in at a time of widespread anger directed at his party, Frelimo, which has…
Bowen: Long-overdue deal may stop the killing but won’t end the conflict
A senior Palestinian official told the BBC that Hamas would release three female soldiers on the first day of the ceasefire. Mediators in Doha are trying an earlier start to the ceasefire, Thursday evening instead of Sunday. Until the ceasefire does come into effect, the war that started when Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October…
Flags to be raised for Trump’s inauguration, despite half-staff order for Carter’s death
By Alana Wise Flags will be flown at full-staff on Jan. 20 for Donald Trump’s inauguration as president, despite an order from President Biden to lower the flags to half-staff in remembrance of the late President Jimmy Carter. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Republican, announced the decision to raise the flags to full…
A Crucial Coal Mine in Ukraine Under Attack by Russian Forces Finally Shuts Down
Russia-Ukraine War Russia-Ukraine War Russia-Ukraine War The mine, near the frontline city of Pokrovsk, produced coking coal crucial for Ukraine’s steel industry. It kept running until the very last moment, when Russian forces finally reached its gates. By Constant Méheut and Daria Mitiuk Photographs by Finbarr O’Reilly The reporters visited the mine this summer and…
Suspected outbreak of deadly Marburg virus disease kills eight in Tanzania
Healthcare workers among suspected cases of Ebola-like disease as WHO issues warning of high risk to the country and its neighbours A suspected outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Tanzania has killed eight people and poses a high risk to the country and its neighbours, global health leaders have said. The World Health Organization…
Sally Struthers Says “Passive Aggressive” Betty White Fat Shamed Her
Gilmore Girls actress Sally Struthers recalled a bad interaction she had with Betty White, saying the Golden Girls alum fat shamed her in a room full of people. Sally Struthers is not keeping it all in the family when it comes to Betty White. The Gilmore Girls alum revealed her true feelings about the Golden Girls actress, who died in 2021 at…
Gaza ceasefire deal to take effect on 19 January, Qatar says
Israel and Hamas have agreed a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal following 15 months of war, mediators Qatar and the US say. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said the agreement would come into effect on Sunday so long as it was approved by the Israeli cabinet. US President Joe…
Does Fact-Checking Work on Social Media?
Does Fact-Checking Work? Here’s What the Science Says Communication and misinformation researchers reveal the value of fact-checking, where perceived biases come from and what Meta’s decision could mean By David Adam & Nature magazine Meta plans to scrap its third-party fact-checking programme in favour of X-like ‘community notes’. It is said that a lie can…
Timothée Chalamet, Selena Gomez and More Score 2025 BAFTA Nominations
Conclave, Emilia Pérez and The Brutalist led the list of 2025 BAFTA nominations, which also included nods for Timothée Chalamet, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande and Hugh Grant. The 2025 BAFTA nominations are here, giving Hollywood something to celebrate amid the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Actors Will Sharpe and Mia McKenna-Bruce announced the list of nominees for the…
The secret to doing hard things and getting stuff done
By Marielle Segarra , Clare Marie Schneider Over the last year, NPR graphics reporter Daniel Wood — a busy dad of three — says he’s been able to maintain “a workout cadence I’ve never, ever had before.” The secret to his good exercise regime? He has an accountability group. “Through a combination of good encouragement…
UK stalls Chagos Islands deal until Trump administration can ‘consider detail’
Future of Diego Garcia military base should be considered before handover to Mauritius signed off, No 10 says The UK government will not sign off a deal to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius until Donald Trump’s administration has had a chance to consider the future of the joint military base, Downing Street has…
Landmark debt swap to protect Indonesia’s coral reefs
Editor’s note: Conservation International announced on Jan. 15, 2025, that the debt-for-nature swap between the United States, Indonesia and several non-governmental organizations has officially been finalized. This means that US$ 35 million will begin to flow toward the protection and restoration of Indonesia’s highest-priority coral reef ecosystems, including Raja Ampat, where Conservation International has worked…
Visas for Guest Workers Can Spur High Technology and U.S. Jobs
Opinion Two Simple Reforms Can Make H-1B Visas Great Again Although warring MAGA factions seem locked in a foreign worker battle with no middle ground, two straightforward changes would provide global talent while minimizing domestic job losses By Hal Salzman edited by Dan Vergano Just in time for the holidays, an internecine fight about what…
Many Syrians Want Justice for Regime Crimes. Others Want Revenge.
Syria’s Civil War Syria’s Civil War Syria’s Civil War The new interim Syrian government says it will hunt down and punish senior security officials and others, but concern is growing about attacks on former low-level members of the Assad regime’s forces. By Raja Abdulrahim Photographs by Ivor Prickett Reporting from Idlib, Taftanaz and Aleppo, Syria…
Surprise fall in inflation boosts interest rate cut hopes
UK inflation unexpectedly dipped in December, raising expectations of an interest rate cut next month. Prices rose 2.5% in the year to December, down from 2.6% the month before, marking the first fall in inflation for three months. The drop was driven by hotel prices falling and smaller rises in airfares than usual, but prices…
Halt illegal imports of conflict minerals from DRC, campaigners urge EU
Law to stop armed groups profiting from trade in gold, tin, tungsten and tantalum is being breached, rights groups say The European Union has been urged to clamp down on illegal imports of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after evidence was found that current regulations had been breached. The advocacy…
Biden to remove Cuba from list of state sponsors of terrorism
Deal negotiated through Catholic church will involve ‘gradual’ release of 553 political prisoners, says Havana The Biden administration has notified Congress that it will remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism in a deal the country’s communist government said would involve the “gradual” release of 553 political prisoners. The deal, which administration…
Venn Diagrams’ History and Popularity Outside of Math Explained
Opinion The Curious History of Venn Diagrams By Jack Murtagh edited by Jeanna Bryner In his book The Mathematical Universe, mathematician William Dunham wrote of John Venn’s namesake legacy, the Venn diagram, “No one in the long history of mathematics ever became better known for less.” While Venn diagrams may not have solved any long-standing…
South Korean law enforcement officers detain impeached President Yoon
By The Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean law enforcement officials on Wednesday detained impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief imposition of martial law last month. In a video message recorded before he was escorted to the headquarters of an anti-corruption agency, Yoon lamented that the “rule of law has…
The British Public Dislikes Elon Musk. He Can Still Sway Politics.
His influence is partly the result of a very online political establishment, and partly thanks to a right-leaning media that is hostile to Keir Starmer’s Labour government. By Mark Landler Reporting from London He is a deeply unpopular figure in Britain, according to opinion polls, and his social media channel has lost users in the…
Julia Stiles Details Bond With Heath Ledger 26 Years Later
Julia Stiles exclusively told E! News what it was like working with the late Heath Ledger while filming 10 Things I Hate About You, saying he was “such a bright light” on set of the 1998 teen comedy. Julia Stiles is sharing 10 things she loves about the late Heath Ledger. The Save the Last Dance…
Chris Mason: Political heat map flashes red over Treasury
If you were to produce a political heat map of the government right now, there is one big bit that would be bright red, and probably flashing: the Treasury. Firstly, there have been all of the headlines about the now former Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Tulip Siddiq. For all of the complexities and subtleties…
50,000 Scientists Urge Congress to Protect Research from Trump
50,000 Scientists Urge Congress to Protect Research from Trump Two open letters from scientists and science advocacy groups reflect a growing anxiety about the future of federal science under President-elect Trump By Chelsea Harvey & E&E News President-elect Donald Trump is greeted by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on stage during a campaign event at Desert…
The FDA calls for at-a-glance nutrition labels on the front of packaged foods
Maria Godoy The Food and Drug Administration wants to change how packaged food is sold in the U.S. In the waning days of the Biden administration, the agency has proposed requiring a new label on the front of most packaged food and drinks aimed at helping Americans make healthier food choices. The proposed labels would…
News spotlight: A quarter of freshwater species face extinction, study finds
A new study is ringing alarm bells for freshwater species, finding nearly a quarter are at risk of extinction. The study, from researchers at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), named dams, farms, invasive species and pollution as responsible for the decline, Julia Jacobo reported for ABC News. The findings are “alarming,”…
Canada’s provincial leaders in disarray over response to Trump tariff threats
Responses range from conciliation to retaliation, including cutting off electricity and halting the purchase of US liquor Canada’s provincial premiers are sharply divided on how to prepare for US trade tariffs, less than a week before Donald Trump takes office with a threat to dramatically reshape the relationship between the two countries. Canadian officials have…
South Korean Investigators Try Again to Detain President Yoon at His Residence
South Korea Turmoil South Korea Turmoil South Korea Turmoil More forces are expected to join the operation to take Yoon Suk Yeol in for questioning after the last attempt was foiled by his large security team. By Choe Sang-Hun and Victoria Kim Choe Sang-Hun reported from Seoul. Criminal investigators armed with a court-issued warrant began a second, much-anticipated…
Tulip Siddiq resigns as Treasury minister
Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq has resigned after growing pressure over an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh. She had referred herself to the prime minister’s standards adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, after questions about links to her aunt, who was ousted last year as Bangladesh’s prime minister. Sir Laurie said he had “not identified evidence of improprieties” but…
Ellen DeGeneres Debuts Gray Hair Transformation After Return From U.K.
Ellen DeGeneres stepped out in Los Angeles without her signature blonde pixie cut months after her reported move to the United Kingdom with wife Portia de Rossi. Ellen DeGeneres is back on her old stomping grounds. Two months after making headlines with her and wife Portia de Rossi‘s reported move to England, the former talk…
After Los Angeles Fires, Drinking Water Safety Is at Risk
Wildfires May Be Contaminating Los Angeles Water with Harmful Chemicals Fires can make drinking water, pipes and tanks unsafe. An environmental engineer explains why that’s so and what to do By Andrew J. Whelton & The Conversation US Water runs from a pipe where a home once stood, destroyed by the Palisades Fire, on January…
Reeves vows action on growth amid rising debt costs
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to go “further and faster” to improve economic growth after market turbulence saw the cost of servicing UK debt rise. The last few days have seen pressures on the public finances increase, after government borrowing costs hit their highest level for several years. Conservative shadow chancellor Mel Stride called it…
Bodies recovered from illegal goldmine in South Africa where many feared dead
Fifteen bodies brought to surface amid claims 109 are dead and between 400 and 800 people still alive and trapped Fifteen bodies have been brought out of an illegal goldmine in South Africa and 44 people have been taken out alive since Monday, after police blocked supplies of food, water and medicine to the workers…
Israel and Hamas Near Agreement on Cease-Fire Deal, Qatar Says
Middle East Crisis Middle East Crisis Middle East Crisis The negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, appear to be making progress after months of failed attempts to achieve a breakthrough. By Adam RasgonAaron BoxermanIsabel Kershner and Ismaeel Naar Israel and Hamas appeared close to an agreement to declare a cease-fire in Gaza…
Special counsel defends Trump indictment in report. And, Israel-Hamas ceasefire nears
By Brittney Melton here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. The Department of Justice released today its election interference report against President-elect Donald Trump. Although special counsel Jack Smith won’t record a criminal conviction against Trump, the report asserts…
Christina Haack’s Ex Josh Hall Goes IG Official With New Girlfriend
Amid his ongoing divorce with Flip Off costar Christina Haack, Josh Hall made his new relationship with model Stephanie Gabrys Instagram official. Josh Hall officially hard-launched his new relationship. Amid his ongoing divorce with ex Christina Haack, the 44-year-old made his new romance with girlfriend Stephanie Gabrys Instagram official with a short birthday tribute.…
Los Angeles Firefighters Risk Cancer from Urban Smoke
Los Angeles Firefighters Risk Cancer from Urban Smoke Wildfires are storming into urban areas more frequently, and toxins in homes and cars are increasing cancer risk for firefighters By Ariel Wittenberg & E&E News A firefighter battles a house fire along PCH as the Palisades Fire burns in Malibu Wednesday. CLIMATEWIRE | Firefighter Matt Alba…
A tortoise survival tale: How Tiptoe escaped Southern California’s wildfires
Alina Hartounian This is a developing story. For the latest local updates head to LAist.com and sign up for breaking news alerts. Dark gray smoke puffed into the sky behind him as Tiptoe the African sulcata tortoise crunched on the green lawn beneath him. Flames were visible down the street, cars sped past, and Tiptoe’s owner, Caitlin Doran,…
A New Age of American Interference in Europe
Elon Musk and MAGA are already disrupting the status quo, and Europe seems ill-prepared. By Katrin Bennhold For the last decade or more, Europe’s governments have been trying to resist covert influence operations from adversaries like Russia and China. Now they have a very different challenge: Fending off overt efforts by Elon Musk and Donald…
Jessica Simpson & Eric Johnson’s Sweetest Family Moments Before Split
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson have broken up after 10 years of marriage, but in that time, they shared a lifetime of memories. Here is a roundup of the former couple’s sweetest family moments. Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson‘s life together had a little bit of everything. Yet after months of speculation, Jessica confirmed…
Trapped in the dark for 35 hours – Red Sea dive-boat survivors tell of terrifying escapes
“By the end, I was just wondering how I would prefer to die.” Spending 35 hours trapped in a pitch-black air pocket in the upturned hull of a boat has taken its toll on Lucianna Galetta, her voice cracking as she recounts her ordeal. A video she managed to film briefly using the light on…
Man in Brazil wrongly charged for 62 crimes after police use flawed photo ID
Police relied on showing photo of Paulo Alberto da Silva Costa, wrongly jailed for years, to victims to identify him as an alleged perpetrator Paulo Alberto da Silva Costa was having a regular day at work as a doorman in Rio de Janeiro when he was arrested in 2020. It was only then that he…
Djimon Hounsou Says He’s “Struggling” With Money Despite Long Career
Gladiator actor Djimon Hounsou said he’s”struggling financially to make a living” despite having been nominated for two Oscars: “I’m definitely underpaid.” Djimon Hounsou is getting candid about his finances as a working actor. “I’ve been in this business and making films now over two decades,” he told CNN‘s Larry Madowo in a recent interview. “And…
Why Urban Wildfires like L.A.’s Release Such Toxic Smoke
What Makes Urban Wildfire Smoke So Toxic Wildfires burning in cities unleash a toxic, unpredictable combination of compounds into the air By Allison Parshall edited by Dean Visser Smoke over destroyed homes in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, US, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. Firefighters are making some progress on controlling…
LA braces for stronger winds as fires continue to burn
Los Angeles residents are bracing for further destruction as weather forecasts indicate that winds helping fuel the flames might pick up again. Three fires continue to blaze. The largest, the Palisades Fire, has burned more than 23,000 acres and remained at 14% contained as of Monday evening. LA Mayor Karen Bass said “urgent preparations” are…
South Africa launches operation at illegal gold mine amid fears many dead
Phone video shared by mining NGO appears to show dozens of wrapped bodies in underground tunnel The South African government has launched a mission to bring to the surface potentially hundreds of people in an illegal mine who last year had supplies of food, water and medicine blocked by police in an attempt to force…
Russia and Ukraine Battle Inside Kursk, With Waves of Tanks, Drones and North Koreans
Russia-Ukraine War Russia-Ukraine War Russia-Ukraine War Ukrainian soldiers are describing fierce clashes as Russian forces try to retake territory in the Kursk region that could be key in eventual cease-fire talks. A destroyed Ukrainian tank on Thursday a few miles from the border with Russia’s Kursk region. By Marc Santora and Liubov Sholudko Photographs by…
Special counsel in Hunter Biden case denounces president for criticism of the probe
By NPR Washington Desk The Department of Justice on Monday released special counsel David Weiss’ final report after his investigation of criminal allegations against President Biden’s son Hunter Biden. Biden last month signed a full and unconditional pardon for his son, after earlier promising not to do so, saying “raw politics has infected this process…
Gaza ceasefire deal being finalised, Palestinian official tells BBC
The terms of a deal between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages are being finalised, a Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations has told the BBC. It comes as US President Joe Biden said a deal was “on the brink” of coming to fruition, and that his administration…
Destructive Los Angeles Fires Explained in Photos
Photos Show Why Los Angeles Fires Were the Worst in City’s History The ferocity and scale of the fires that tore through the Los Angeles area become clearer in photographs By Andrea Thompson & Amanda Stosz A home on Mariposa Street in Altadena, Calif., goes up in flames during the Eaton Fire on January 8.…
Starmer has ‘full confidence’ in Reeves as pound falls
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he has “full confidence” in Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she faces criticism over the falling pound and rising government borrowing costs. The pound fell to $1.21 on Monday, its lowest level since November 2023, while one measure of the rate at which the government can borrow money hit…
What an Upended Mideast Means for Trump and U.S. Gulf Allies
Middle East Crisis While major ruptures are not expected, Gulf states are urging a tougher stance on Israel and a softening toward Iran, positions that differ greatly from the president-elect’s first term. By Ismaeel Naar Reporting from Manama, Bahrain, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates When Donald J. Trump was last president of the United States,…
As dangerous winds are expected to pick up, Los Angeles braces for new fires
By Chandelis Duster This is a developing story. For the latest local updates head to LAist.com and sign up for breaking news alerts. More strong winds are expected across Los Angeles and Ventura counties over the next few days that will create dangerous conditions as multiple blazes continue to burn across the fire-torn areas. The…
Climate Opportunities in Greenland May Be Part of Trump’s Interest
Why Does Greenland Interest Trump? Climate Change Is Only Part of the Story Arctic shipping routes and burgeoning mining opportunities may be part of Greenland’s appeal to President-elect Donald Trump, but each comes with challenges as well By Meghan Bartels edited by Jeanna Bryner Container ship navigating among icebergs in the harbor of Narsaq, Southern…
South Korea’s impeached president gets a pay rise while still resisting arrest
Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed coup attempt in December plunged country into worst political crisis in decades The impeached South Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol, will receive a pay rise, official documents revealed, as he continues to resist arrest over his ill-fated martial law declaration. Yoon suspended civilian rule on 3 December, sending soldiers into parliament…
Sutton Stracke Makes Shocking Remark About Kyle Richards’ Marriage
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills‘ Sutton Stracke confronts Kyle Richards about alleged “infidelity” in her marriage to estranged husband Mauricio Umansky in shocking sneak peek. Sutton Stracke is known for naming ’em, just not always at the right time and place. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star awkwardly puts her foot in her…
Simply the Best 25 Schitt’s Creek Secrets Revealed
Yes, David. Schitt’s Creek premiered 10 years ago. After you fold in the cheese, check out these facts about the Eugene Levy and Dan Levy series that is better than all the rest. Ew, David, can you believe it’s been nearly 10 years since we paid our first visit to Schitt’s Creek? The beloved Pop…
Weird weather isn’t always because of climate change — but sometimes it is
By Alejandra Borunda 2025 started off with a flurry of intense weather. Southern California experienced bursts of 100-mph winds that spread record-breaking destructive wildfires. Major winter storms have dumped snow and cold weather on the Mid-Atlantic and the South. And in the midst of the weather news, scientists from major meteorological associations around the world…
Israeli Security Chiefs Join Critical Talks for a Cease-Fire in Gaza
Middle East Crisis Pressure is on to reach a deal that would see Hamas release at least some hostages before President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office. By Isabel KershnerAdam Rasgon and Ronen Bergman Isabel Kershner and Adam Rasgon reported from Jerusalem, and Ronen Bergman from New York. Israeli security and policy chiefs arrived in Qatar…
Cyclone Dikeledi kills three in Madagascar, and Mayotte is hit again
Tropical storm batters eastern parts of Africa, including French territory still recovering from Cyclone Chido Over the weekend, eastern parts of Africa were threatened by Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi. What started as a slight tropical disturbance between Indonesia and Australia on 2 January progressed westwards while developing into a depression over the week that followed. The…
‘I feel blessed to get weight-loss jab’ – but can the NHS afford it for all?
Ray, 62 from south London, became one of the first patients to receive the weight-loss jab Wegovy on the NHS last year and has lost 14kg (just over two stone) in five months. BBC Panorama joined him as he was prescribed his first dose at London’s Guy’s Hospital, where he was told he would probably…