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 […]
Ed Sheeran stuns pupils with surprise appearance
Ed Sheeran stunned pupils when he made a surprise appearance during a school concert in Cardiff. The pop superstar performed for a crowd of 2,000 in the main hall at Fitzalan High School, before moving to a community centre in Splott. “It got me shaking,” said 17-year-old Year 12 pupil Kia, adding: “I had goosebumps.”…
Reasons given for Boris Johnson peerages ‘inadequate’, campaigner says
Martin Rosenbaum fought for 18 months to reveal who had supported nominations of two former special advisers The reasons given for a peerage awarded by Boris Johnson have been described as “inadequate” and a “mystery” by a freedom of information campaigner after an 18-month struggle. Charlotte Owen, a former special adviser in the Conservative government,…
Met bans pro-Palestine march from gathering outside BBC headquarters
Scotland Yard imposes Public Order Act owing to proximity of Broadcasting House to a nearby synagogue Scotland Yard has banned a pro-Palestine march from gathering outside the BBC’s London headquarters, owing to its proximity to a synagogue. Protesters were planning to gather outside Broadcasting House in Portland Place on Saturday 18 January before marching to…
Los Angeles Fires Could Push California’s Insurance System to the Brink
Los Angeles Fires Could Push California’s Insurance System to the Brink Damages from the recent fires in the Los Angeles area could overwhelm California’s already stressed insurer of last resort By Blanca Begert, Camille von Kaenel, Thomas Frank, Zack Colman & E&E News A cyclist pedals along Pacific Coast Highway past burning homes in Malibu,…
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to share branches
Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland customers will be able to use services in any branch of the three brands as part of the group’s latest network shake-up. Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three banking brands and is the UK’s biggest moneylender, said the move would give customers more choice and flexibility. It has…
Se esperan fuertes vientos que alimentan los incendios forestales de California hasta el viernes
By Chandelis Duster This is a developing story. For the latest local updates, head to LAist.com. Also, sign up for NPR’s breaking news alerts. Red flag warnings have been extended through Friday for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties as gusty winds whip across the area and multiple fires burn out of control. A red flag…
Why Nikki Garcia Returned as “Nikki Bella” at Netflix’s WWE Raw
Nikki Garcia revived her ring name, Nikki Bella, as she made her return to WWE Raw Jan. 6, explaining that she wanted her comeback appearance to be “effortlessly me.” While briefly coming out of retirement for an appearance on Netflix’s WWE Raw debut Jan. 6, the former pro wrestler opted to appear under her ring…
Friday Briefing: Racing to Control Los Angeles Fires
Plus, renovating a wrecked palazzo. By Emmett Lindner Officials hoped that a drop in wind speeds yesterday would give firefighters a window to take control of the fast-moving blazes that have raged unchecked this week. At least five people have been killed, but that figure is expected to rise. Almost 180,000 people were under evacuation…
Lebanon elects Joseph Aoun as president after two-year vacancy
Army commander’s election increases confidence that ceasefire with Israel will hold Lebanon’s parliament has elected the army commander Joseph Aoun as the country’s new president, ending a more than two-year vacancy and increasing confidence that a ceasefire with Israel will hold. Aoun received 99 out of 128 votes in the 13th attempt by a deeply…
Jill Duggar’s Husband Clarifies Where He Stands With Jim Bob Duggar
After fans noticed Jill Duggar’s husband Derick Dillard chatting with her estranged father Jim Bob Duggar in a family Christmas photo, Derick shared an update on where he and his father-in-law stand. Derick Dillard is setting the record straight. The 35-year-old, who appeared in TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting alongside wife Jill Duggar, responded to…
Danes struggle with response to Trump Greenland threat
Copenhagen’s gloomy January weather matches the mood among Denmark’s politicians and business leaders. “We take this situation very, very seriously,” said Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen of Donald Trump’s threats to acquire Greenland – and punish Denmark with high tariffs if it stands in the way. But, he added, the government had “no ambition whatsoever…
Venâncio Mondlane Returns to Mozambique, Declaring Himself President
Unrest in Mozambique After a self-imposed exile, Venâncio Mondlane was welcomed home by delirious crowds supporting his claim that the country’s last election was stolen from him by corrupt elites. By John Eligon and Tavares Cebola Reporting from Maputo, Mozambique He stepped off a gray jumbo jet to the excited but subdued applause of a few…
Venezuela’s Opposition Leader, Maria Corina Machado, Is Freed After Being Detained
During her detention, an aide said, Maria Corina Machado “was forced to record several videos.” She has garnered enormous support for her opposition to Nicolás Maduro. By Julie Turkewitz Reporting from Bogotá, Colombia Venezuela’s popular opposition leader, María Corina Machado, was freed on Thursday afternoon after a brief detention by adversaries during an antigovernment protest…
Jeremy Hunt apologises to Letby victims’ families
Mr Hunt opened his appearance at the Thirlwall Inquiry at Liverpool town hall by saying that Letby’s crimes had been committed “on [his] watch”. The inquiry is looking into how Letby, 35, was able to kill seven babies and try to kill seven others while working at the Countess of Chester hospital between 2015 and…
Lebanon chooses a new president after two years without one
By Emily Feng , Jawad Rizkallah BEIRUT — Lebanon’s parliament has chosen the head of the country’s armed forces, Joseph Aoun, to be its next president, after going more than two years without one. Aoun’s selection on Thursday is one important step toward addressing a decimated economy and financial system, and to marshal funds to…
Dave Portnoy Reveals Grace O’Malley’s Barstool Salary
Dave Portnoy responded to claims by Grace O’Malley that her Plan Bri Uncut podcast co-host Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia was paid more than her by revealing her salary at Barstool Sports. Dave Portnoy is talking money. After former Barstool Sports employee Grace O’Malley claimed her former Plan Bri Uncut co-host Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia was making more money…
Elon Musk heaps praise on AfD’s Alice Weidel during live talk on X
X owner and far-right politician appear to agree on everything, as Musk faces accusations of meddling in German election Elon Musk has praised the co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland party, as he repeated his claim that “only the AfD can save Germany” during a controversial live talk on his social media platform X.…
Blake Lively Shares Message on Fires in First Post Amid Legal Battle
Blake Lively broke her social media silence to share resources amid the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Blake Lively is mourning the devastation. As wildfires rage around the Los Angeles area, destroying countless homes, landmarks and properties, the It Ends With Us star is speaking out on social media—marking her first post since she filed her…
Australia violated rights of asylum seekers on Nauru, UN watchdog rules
United Nations human rights committee says decision should serve as warning to other nations considering outsourcing asylum processing Australia violated the rights of asylum seekers arbitrarily detained on the island of Nauru, a UN watchdog has ruled, in a warning to other countries intent on outsourcing asylum processing. The UN human rights committee published decisions…
The man who could become Canada’s future PM
At 20 years old, Pierre Poilievre already had a roadmap for Canada. Canada’s Conservative Party leader – now 45 – laid out a low-tax, small government vision for the country in an essay contest on what he would do as prime minister. “A dollar left in the hands of consumers and investors is more productive…
BBC goes inside hospital battling unprecedented winter pressures
“Can that chap sit, do we think?” asks Dr Raj Paw, a senior consultant in the emergency department at Warwick Hospital. He is speaking about a patient in his 90s who was brought in after collapsing at home, where he was found cold and confused. Now he is stable. Could that open up a bed?…
White Lotus’ Meghann Fahy Shares Rare Glimpse Into Leo Woodall Romance
Meghann Fahy shared a subtle glimpse into her romance with her White Lotus costar Leo Woodall with a beach vacation photo dump. Meghann Fahy and Leo Woodall’s romance is in full bloom. To ring in the new year, albeit a little late, The Bold Type actress celebrated with a photo dump—including a subtle pic…
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado ‘kidnapped’, allies say
Leader reportedly ‘violently intercepted’ after sneaking out of hideout to lead protest against authoritarian president Nicolás Maduro Allies of Venezuela’s most influential opposition leader, María Corina Machado, say she has been “kidnapped” from the streets of Caracas by regime officials after sneaking out of her hideout to lead a major protest against the authoritarian president,…
Venezuela’s Opposition Leader, Maria Corina Machado, Detained at Protest
Ms. Machado has garnered enormous support for her opposition to the country’s autocrat, Nicolás Maduro. By Julie Turkewitz Reporting from Bogotá, Colombia Venezuela’s popular opposition leader, María Corina Machado, was detained during an antigovernment protest in Caracas on Thursday, according to a statement on X by her party, Vente Venezuela. Ms. Machado had been living…
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Make Plea Amid California Wildfires
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a call to action for residents of California as the deadly wildfires continue to devastate the greater Los Angeles area. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are sharing support for their community. Amid the wildfires burning across the greater Los Angeles area that has left five people dead and thousands…
Reeves mulls deeper cuts to public services as borrowing costs soar
Chancellor could slash departmental spending in spring after ruling out tax increase, officials reveal Rachel Reeves is considering imposing steeper cuts to public services to repair the government’s finances after a bruising week in which investors drove up the cost of UK borrowing and pushed the pound to a 14-month low. Government officials have told…
LA wildfires among costliest in US history
The Los Angeles wildfires are on track to be among the costliest in US history, with losses already expected to exceed more than $50bn (£40bn). In a preliminary estimate, private forecaster Accuweather said it expected losses of between $52bn and $57bn as the blazes rip through an area that is home to some of the…
Lammy challenges Trump’s rhetoric days before White House return
When David Lammy is asked about the new government’s relations with the incoming US administration, he likes to talk about the dinner he and the prime minister had with Donald Trump in New York last September. “We had a very good meal,” the foreign secretary said on Thursday. “We had a long time to discuss…
Michael J. Fox Shares Photos From Presidential Medal of Freedom Event
After Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991, was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he shared a glimpse at the ceremony on social media. Michael J. Fox is using his latest honor to speak up for all those battling Parkinson’s disease. After the Back to the Future star, who…
Uruguay’s popular former president José Mujica reveals he is dying of cancer
‘My cycle is over,’ says leftwinger, 89, who lives humbly and oversaw one of healthiest and most liberal democracies José Mujica, the former guerrilla who became Uruguay’s president and a global progressive icon, has announced that the cancer in his oesophagus has spread to his liver, and that he has chosen to forgo further treatment.…
The Fate of NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program May Be Decided in 2026
NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program Faces Stark Choices NASA sees two paths for saving its beleaguered plan to retrieve materials from the Red Planet but won’t choose between them until 2026 By Lee Billings edited by Dean Visser NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover appears in this selfie it snapped in January 2023 alongside several sample tubes…
US seizure of Greenland is ‘not going to happen’, says David Lammy
UK foreign secretary plays down idea of Trump taking control, in speech exposing differences with president-elect The UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, has said a US military seizure of Greenland is not going to happen, as he played down Donald Trump’s threats to seize the territory from Denmark. “No Nato countries have gone to war…
Assassin’s Creed Shadows delayed again
Video game giant Ubisoft has announced a further delay to its upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The long-running series is one of the French publisher’s flagship franchises, with recent instalment, Valhalla, reportedly making more than $1bn. Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set in 16th Century Japan, was due to be released last November before an initial delay to…
Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ Mom Breaks Silence on Allison Holker’s Claims
Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ mother Connie Alexander called out Allison Holker’s “misleading” allegations about the late DJ’s drug use. Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ mom is letting her opinion be known. Amid the growing noise over Allison Holker’s recent interview—in which she made claims about her late husband’s drug use and that he made allusions in a journal…
Guantánamo Bay Explained: The Costs, the Captives and Why It’s Still Open
Trump Investigations Just 15 men remain at the prison, down from hundreds when it opened 23 years ago. But the costly operation could go on for years. By Carol Rosenberg Carol Rosenberg has been covering the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, since the first detainees were brought there on Jan. 11, 2002. She first reported…
The 20 child abuse inquiry proposals – what has happened so far?
In October 2022, child protection expert Prof Alexis Jay finished a seven-year inquiry into the countless ways children had been sexually abused in England and Wales. She had presided over hundreds of days of evidence in which victims described their treatment and those who had the duty to protect them answered for their failings. Her…
Best Flannel Sheet Deals From Brooklinen, Lands’ End, Amazon & More
Keep your bed warm and toasty in the cold with these budget-friendly picks. Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Learn more. If you love to snuggle into a warm and toasty bed, especially in the winter, then a flannel sheet…
Katalin Karikó’s Nobel Prize–Winning Work on mRNA Was Long Ignored—And Led to COVID Vaccines
Katalin Karikó’s Nobel Prize–Winning Work on mRNA Was Long Ignored—And Led to COVID Vaccines Despite decades of doubt and dismissal, biochemist Katalin Karikó never gave up on the research that gave us mRNA COVID vaccines in record time By Katie Hafner, Deborah Unger, Gabriela Saldivia & The Lost Women of Science Initiative Katalin Karikó, a…
Italian mayor pledges to stop sale of Neapolitan islet to speculators
Bacoli mayor says his administration will purchase Punta Pennata and turn it into an ‘open-air museum’ An Italian mayor has vowed to do everything in his power to stop Punta Pennata – a slice of island paradise close to the heart of Naples, from where a fleet departed to rescue survivors of the AD79 eruption…
House Passes Bill to Sanction I.C.C. Officials for Israeli Prosecutions
Middle East Crisis The action put the measure on track for likely enactment given strong support for it among Republicans, who now control the Senate, and President-elect Donald J. Trump. By Karoun Demirjian Reporting from Washington The House on Thursday passed legislation that would impose sanctions on officials at the International Criminal Court, making a…
Jamie Lee Curtis Donates $1 Million to L.A. Fire Relief Efforts
Amid blazing wildfires in Los Angeles, which have destroyed homes belonging to Anna Faris, Billy Crystal and more, Jamie Lee Curtis and her family have donated $1 million to the relief efforts. Jamie Lee Curtis is giving back to her city. The Freaky Friday actress—who resides in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles where…
The ‘9/11 mastermind’ is set to plead guilty. Why is the US trying to stop him?
The accused mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks is scheduled to plead guilty on Friday, more than 23 years after the world was rocked by the killing of almost 3,000 people in the US. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, often referred to as KSM, is due to deliver his pleas at a war court on the Guantanamo…
Giorgia Meloni hopes to attend Trump’s inauguration after receiving invite
Italy’s prime minister confirms she is on guest list for 20 January event and ‘will happily go’ if her agenda allows Giorgia Meloni has confirmed she has been invited to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president and “will happily go” if her agenda permits, ending weeks of speculation over whether the Italian prime minister…
Man told he can’t recover £598m of Bitcoin from tip
A judge has thrown out a man’s attempt to sue a council to recover from a rubbish tip a Bitcoin hard drive that is now worth about £598m. James Howells had argued that his former partner had mistakenly dumped the hard drive containing a Bitcoin wallet in 2013, and he wanted to access the site…
France Indicts Founder of Notorious Website Used in Pelicot Rape Case
France Rape Trial The site, coco.fr, was shut down in June after being linked to more than 23,000 sexual abuse and other cases in France alone, including the rape trial that shocked the country last year. By Catherine Porter and Ségolène Le Stradic Reported from Paris The founder of the website used by Dominique Pelicot…
Will Rogers’ Historic Home Destroyed in Devastating Palisades Fire
Actor Will Rogers’ historic home, along with other historic buildings in the Will Rogers State Historic Park, was destroyed amid the raging Los Angeles wildfires. The historic home of late actor Will Rogers was lost in the Los Angeles fires. As the fire in the city’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood—one of several wildfires engulfing Southern California—spread…
Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, other celebrities share LA fire experiences, resources
Andrew Limbong Actor Jamie Lee Curtis opened her appearance on The Tonight Show last night speaking about the devastating fires in California. “It’s just a catastrophe,” she said. “Obviously there have been horrific fires in many places. This is where I live.” The fires have spread across tens of thousands of acres, destroying homes, businesses,…
Murder investigation in Spain after body of missing Belfast man found
Family ‘heartbroken’ after discovery of body of John George, 37, who went missing in Alicante area in December A murder investigation is under way in Spain after the body of a 37-year-old man from Northern Ireland was found three weeks after he went missing. John George from Belfast, a father of two children, was in…
Winter pressures ‘as bad as strain of pandemic’
The pressures in A&E are as bad as they were in the pandemic, NHS bosses say. With flu cases continuing to rise and the cold weather, NHS England medical director Prof Sir Stephen Powis said hospitals were under “exceptional pressure” and facing “mammoth demand”. He said some staff were saying the strain being placed on…
How Travis Kelce’s ex Kayla Nicole Really Feels About Taylor Swift
Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole spoke about the impact his relationship with Taylor Swift has had on her and revealed her feelings on the singer. Kayla Nicole is trying to shake off the Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift chatter. On the second episode of Fox’s Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test, Jan. 8 the sports…
Greenland’s prime minister calls for calm after Trump comments
Pro-independence Múte Egede says Greenland must stay unified after becoming centre of US-Denmark spat Greenland’s prime minister has called for unity, urging citizens not to panic, after being thrown into a geopolitical battle between the US and Denmark by Donald Trump’s interest in taking control of the territory. Múte Egede said he understood people may…
Why Michelle Obama Missed Jimmy Carter’s Funeral
For former president Jimmy Carter’s funeral, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well other former presidents, were joined by their spouses while Barack Obama attended solo. Michelle Obama is sending her condolences to late president Jimmy Carter from afar. After the former president died Dec. 29 at the age of 100, President…
Peter Dutton’s pledge to exclude CFMEU from Queensland road projects could be illegal, experts say
Law professor says prohibiting companies from tendering because of union relationships would be ‘tantamount to a secondary boycott’ A pledge to “exclude” the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union from Queensland road projects by state and federal LNP leaders has been criticised as illegal by industrial relations experts. On Thursday, the opposition leader, Peter Dutton,…
Lily Allen to take podcast break over mental health
Lily Allen has said she is taking a break from her podcast for “a few weeks” because her mental health is “spiralling” and she is not “in a good place”. Speaking on the latest episode of Miss Me?, the BBC Sounds show she hosts with Miquita Oliver, the pop star-turned-actor said she had been going…
What rising borrowing costs could mean for Labour’s economic plan
Nothing has been more important to the Labour Party under Sir Keir Starmer than economic credibility. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has set out clear fiscal rules, such as getting debt falling as a share of national income by the end of this parliament, and she has made sticking to these rules a crucial test of the…
Australia weather: rainy week forecast for Sydney and Brisbane – but BoM says summer isn’t over yet
Showers are expected to continue for Sydney and Brisbane throughout much of the coming week, but summer isn’t over yet, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. This week, south-east Queensland and eastern New South Wales were “tipping towards those wetter conditions”, Bradbury said on Thursday. “Our seven-day forecast for Sydney, for example, does suggest a…
Jimmy Carter’s Funeral: Donald Trump & More Leaders Attend Service
Nearly two weeks after former U.S. President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100, public figures including President-Elect Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama, gathered to honor him. Jimmy Carter‘s loved ones and fellow public figures are paying their respects to the former president. Nearly two weeks after Carter passed away at the…
Campbell “Pookie” Puckett Undergoes Surgery to Remove Pre-Cancer
Two months after welcoming their daughter Paloma, Jett Puckett revealed that his wife Campbell “Pookie” Puckett underwent surgery amid a pre-cancer health scare. Campbell “Pookie” Puckett is sharing insight into her unexpected health scare. The TikToker and her husband Jett Puckett—who tied the knot in 2018—shared that Campbell is in recovery from surgery just two…
With Trump Arriving, Zelensky Urges Allies Not to ‘Drop the Ball’
Russia-Ukraine War In an impassioned address to officials from countries supporting Ukraine, Mr. Zelensky said ‘a new chapter’ would be starting for Europe and the rest of the world, requiring even more cooperation. By John Ismay Reporting from Ramstein Air Base in Germany President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday implored representatives from roughly 50 nations to…
Here’s what’s behind Russia cutting off its last gas line to Europe
By Charles Maynes MOSCOW — On the morning of Jan. 1, Russia pumped its last cubic meters of natural gas directly to Europe, ending decades of trade that had benefited all sides — and heated homes — through some of the darkest winters of the Cold War and well into the 21st century. Russia’s invasion…