Can Life Survive the Death of the Sun?
The UniverseFridays When the Sun Becomes a Red Giant, Will Any Planet Be Safe? The future is bright—too bright—for life as we know it once the sun transforms into a red giant star By Phil Plait edited by Lee Billings An artist’s impression of the far-future sun, swollen to become a red giant star, as […]
Proof That Adult Brains Make New Neurons Settles Scientific Controversy
Proof That Adult Brains Make New Neurons Settles Scientific Controversy Adult brains grow new neurons, and scientists have finally pinpointed where they come from By Nora Bradford edited by Allison Parshall Neural precursor cells (green) are have been difficult to identify in human brians. Join Our Community of Science Lovers! For at least six decades, […]
Astronomers Found the Most Self-Destructive Planet in the Sky
Astronomers Found the Most Self-Destructive Planet in the Sky This planet triggers flares on its star—spelling its ultimate doom By Jacek Krywko edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier In this artist’s impression, the planet HIP 67522 b sends a wave of energy along magnetic field lines toward the surface of its host star—triggering a massive flare […]
In effort to protect children, France bans smoking at parks and beaches
Eleanor Beardsley PARIS — A restrictive outdoor smoking ban has come into force in France, a country where café culture, which often includes a glass of wine and a cigarette, is a way of life. As of Sunday, smokers are no longer allowed to light up in public parks, at swimming pools, or at beaches, […]
Kickstarter Tabletop Alert: ‘Deep Regrets’
Can you keep your sanity while fishing up increasingly strange things from the ocean? Deep Regrets is a strategic, horror-themed fishing game for 1-5 players, ages 16 and up, and takes about 30-150 minutes to play. The base game, along with the new expansion, Even Deeper Regrets, is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, with a […]
Director Jeff Baena, Aubrey Plaza’s Husband, Dead at 47
Director Jeff Baena, husband of actress Aubrey Plaza, died on Jan. 3 at the age of 47, Los Angeles medical examiner records confirm. The Hollywood community has lost a beloved member. Director Jeff Baena, the husband of actress Aubrey Plaza, died on Jan. 3 at the age of 47, according to Los Angeles medical examiner…
Tributes to ‘much loved and popular’ boy after quad bike crash
Tributes have been paid to a 13-year-old boy who died after a quad bike crash near Newry. Tiarnán Trainor was injured in the incident on Low Road just outside Killeavy on Thursday. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast but later died from his injuries. St Paul’s High School in Bessbrook described…
UK rollout of eVisas could leave non-EU migrants ‘vulnerable’
Home Office is issuing digital visas without completing necessary checks, Freedom of Information quest reveals The government is pressing ahead with a digital visa scheme to prove the residency rights of millions of people from outside the EU without having completed the necessary checks, campaigners are warning. The Home Office said in response to a…
What Each Sign Needs for Capricorn Season, According to Our Expert
We interviewed Lisa Greenfield because we think you’ll like her 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. So long Sagittarius season, we’re now in Capricorn territory, December 20 to January 19. And there’s good news and bad news…
Biden awards Wintour, Bono and Soros with Medal of Freedom
Vogue editor Dame Anna Wintour, U2 frontman Bono and billionaire George Soros are among those who will receive America’s highest civilian honour from outgoing President Joe Biden. The Presidential Medal of Freedom will be awarded to 19 people this year, spanning cultural icons, politicians and campaigners. The have been chosen because are they are “good…
It’s the pits! Would you pay £35 for one of the new, posh deodorants?
Fashionistas are forking out a fortune as the humble anti-perspirant goes high end Once humble, bought for a quid and used with little pleasure, deodorant has done an about-face. Where it used to be a simple case of misting armpits with Lynx or spritzing with Sure, in recent times the world of deodorant has evolved…
How to keep babies warm in cold weather and other winter tips
Much of the UK is being hit with cold weather. Here are some tips for coping with low temperatures. Babies and children under five are more at risk in cold weather. The NHS advises that babies and children should wear several layers of clothes to keep warm, external. Importantly, babies do not need hot rooms…
Vehicular attacks are not new. But preventing them has been a big challenge
By Emma Bowman , Jaclyn Diaz Intentional vehicular attacks on crowds of people, like the one that killed 14 revelers in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, are not new. They have been carried out for decades. Although in recent years, they have increasingly been used by terrorist groups and individuals. “Terrorism has changed,” said Devorah…
The Deeply Disturbing True Story Behind Baby Reindeer
Emmy-winning Netflix hit Baby Reindeer—inspired by Scottish comedian Richard Gadd’s real life experience with a stalker—has three 2025 Golden Globe nominations ahead of the Jan. 5 ceremony. For Scottish comedian Richard Gadd, it was inevitable that he’d tell his own personal horror story on stage, when he was ready. But he couldn’t have foreseen that a scripted…
Syria to resume international flights at Damascus airport
First commercial flights since overthrow of Assad regime to begin from Tuesday, aviation chief says Syria’s main airport in Damascus is to resume international flights after commercial trips were halted following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. “We announce we will start receiving international flights to and from Damascus International airport from [Tuesday],” the state…
New Year’s Eve 2025: Photos of Celebrations Around the World
See how people across the globe celebrated. In Photos and Video See how people across the globe celebrated. In Photos and Video Fireworks burst over the Quadriga at the Brandenburg Gate during New Year’s Day celebrations in Berlin.Ebrahim Noroozi/Associated Press By The New York Times In plazas and parks and bars and homes across the…
Venus rewards stargazers with appearance next to moon
Second rock from Sun visible with naked eye in clear skies in areas with low light pollution Stargazers have been treated to seeing the planet Venus as it made an appearance next to the moon. The second rock from the Sun could be seen on Friday night with the naked eye in areas with clear…
The Year Ahead
There’s an empty calendar spread out before us. What meaning will we give to it? By Melissa Kirsch Four days into the year and it’s all possibility right now. You have an idea of how things will go — what you’re looking forward to, what’s going to be challenging — but you’re working off archival…
Inside Zendaya and Tom Holland’s Marvelous Love Story
Zendaya, who is nominated for a 2025 Golden Globe for her performance in Challengers, and Tom Holland’s romance keeps swinging to new heights since they fell in love making Marvel’s Spider-Man movies. Zendaya has said that having a significant other in show business wasn’t a must for her. But it doesn’t hurt, either. “It’s definitely helpful,”…
Bats catch a lift from storm winds on long-distance migrations
By Jonathan Lambert Historically, bat migration has been a bit of a black box. While scientists have learned lots about how birds migrate, the handful of bat species that make long-distance journeys have been tougher to study. “They’re fast and they move at night,” says Edward Hurme, a biologist at the Max Planck Institute for…
Syria’s International Airport to Reopen as Government Presses for Stability
Syria’s Civil War Tensions are high on Syria’s border with Lebanon. The ouster of President Bashar al-Assad led to worry that violence could spill over into neighboring countries. By Aaron Boxerman Syria’s main international airport in Damascus will reopen next week, the new government said on Saturday, as it tries to re-establish a sense of…
Jobs of about 280 contractors cut after cancellation of Rwanda asylum scheme
Redundancies follow Labour abandonment of previous government’s plan to send asylum seekers to east Africa Hundreds of guards employed to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda have been told their jobs are being cut, the Guardian has learned. About 280 Home Office contractors were informed on Friday that their roles were being made redundant because Labour…
How Hybrid Tactics Targeted NATO Allies in 2024: Drones, Exploding Parcels, Sabotage
Germany’s Political Turmoil Russia and other hostile states have become increasingly brazen in adopting “gray zone” attacks against Europe and the United States, leaving defense officials with a dilemma: How to respond? By Lara Jakes Lara Jakes writes about global conflicts and diplomacy. When mysterious drones began appearing over oil rigs and wind farms off…
2025 Golden Globes: Why Wicked Wasn’t Nominated for Any Music Awards
Wicked missed out on music nominations at the 2025 Golden Globes—hosted by Nikki Glaser on Jan. 5—because it was adapted from the 2003 Broadway musical without new songs written for the screen. Despite defying gravity with its 2025 Golden Globe nominations, Wicked didn’t make it into two specific categories. The film—based on the hit Broadway musical—nabbed four nominations, but…
‘My son thinks I’d mad’ – meet the woman who owns 50 classic cars
Jane Weitzmann admits she has an obsession – and it’s all down to a Jaguar Mark X. Bought in the 1980s, the classic car has led her to buy “just” the 49 more, and they are all stored at her home in the village of South Littleton, Worcestershire. Ms Weitzmann’s collection includes BMWs, Ferraris, Lamborghinis,…
5 financial habits to leave behind for a more prosperous new year
By Marielle Segarra , Malaka Gharib If you want to get a better handle on your spending in 2025, Life Kit’s experts are here to help. They share five financial habits to leave behind in 2024 — so you can save money and have a more prosperous new year. This section comes from a story published…
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s Best Wicked Fashion IRL
Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande channeled Elphaba and Glinda with their couture for months, and we refuse to limit our sartorial expectations for the 2025 Golden Globes on Jan. 5. No one mourns the wicked, but countless people appreciate some tie-in fashion. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo took a page from Margot Robbie‘s Barbie playbook…
King saddened by death of ex-royal nanny’s stepson in New Orleans attack
King Charles is deeply saddened by the death of a British man who was killed in the vehicle attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, palace sources say. Edward Pettifer, 31, who was among 14 people killed in the attack, is the stepson of Alexandra Pettifer, known as Tiggy, who cared for Prince William…
In Mexican Desert, Digging for a ‘Miracle’: Bringing the Missing Back Home
Mexico Dispatch Tens of thousands of people have vanished in northern Mexico, many because of cartel violence. An unlikely partnership offers families a form of closure. Mexico Dispatch Tens of thousands of people have vanished in northern Mexico, many because of cartel violence. An unlikely partnership offers families a form of closure. Isabel García, a…
Funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter start today in Georgia
Stephen Fowler ATLANTA — Nearly a week of memorial plans for former President Jimmy Carter begins today, as the 39th president’s remains will make one final trip from his hometown of Plains, Ga. Carter died earlier at home earlier this week on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100. The state funeral events…
Marlon Brando fury at ‘feeling like a freak’ among revelations in new book of Hollywood secrets
Brando, Ava Gardner, Anita Ekberg and other A-listers are featured in a memoir about the glamour of the 1950s film industry Marlon Brando was the original angry young man, winning an Oscar for On the Waterfront, Elia Kazan’s movie about union corruption. But anger got the better of him at the 1954 Italian premiere of…
Seeking to heal the country, Jimmy Carter pardoned men who evaded the Vietnam War draft
By Joe Hernandez President Jimmy Carter waves to the crowd while walking with his wife, Rosalynn, and their daughter, Amy, along Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House following his inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 1977. On the following day, he issued a pardon for people who had evaded the Vietnam…
Tomiko Itooka of Japan, World’s Oldest Person, Dies at 116
Born in 1908, she raised four children, ran a family textile factory during World War II, and remained an avid hiker into her 80s. By Martin Fackler Reporting from Tokyo Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman born before the start of World War I and the sinking of the Titanic who was believed to be the…
Biden awards Medal of Freedom to Hillary Clinton, Soros, Messi and 16 others
Franco Ordoñez President Biden is awarding the Medal of Freedom to 19 people, including civil rights icons such as the late Fannie Lou Hamer and prominent political leaders such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire Democratic fundraiser George Soros. He’s also honoring actors and athletes, including Michael J. Fox, Denzel Washington as…
Pant’s stunning 61 leaves final Test finely poised
This video can not be played ‘Strewth’ – Pant hits Starc for back-to-back sixes as he reaches half-century Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Fifth Test, day two, Sydney India 185 (Pant 40; Boland 4-31, Starc 3-49) & 141-6 (Pant 61; Boland 4-42) Australia 181: Webster 57; Siraj 3-51, Krishna 3-42 India lead by 145 runs Scorecard Rishabh Pant’s…
‘The Interview’: Antony Blinken Insists He and Biden Made the Right Calls
The Interview The Interview Philip Montgomery for The New York Times By Lulu Garcia-Navarro Four years ago, after the tumultuous first Trump administration, President Biden came into office promising to rebuild old alliances and defend democracy. The man tasked with doing that on the world stage was Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a longtime diplomat…
Germany’s Chancellor Scholz Takes a Jab at Musk in New Year’s Eve Address
Germany’s Political Turmoil Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany’s election would “not be decided by the owners of social media channels” in his annual New Year’s Eve address. By Christopher F. Schuetze Reporting from Berlin The annual New Year’s Eve speech by Germany’s chancellor is traditionally heavy on national unity, reflections on the past 12 months…
Brazil ex-official returns toilet she had removed from office
A former city councillor in Brazil has returned a toilet and two sinks she had removed from her office after losing a bid for re-election. Footage of one of Janaína Lima’s employees hauling away the facilities was posted online as her tenure as Sao Paulo councilwoman ended. “I decided to donate the equipment I acquired…
What one picture tells us about Trump’s power in Congress
Shortly after Mike Johnson appeared to come up two votes shy of retaining the speakership of the House of Representatives on Friday, Marjorie Taylor Greene – the loyal Trump ally and firebrand Republican congresswoman from Georgia – stood in the middle of the House chamber, intently speaking on her mobile phone. Although she covered the…
Putin Declares ‘Everything Will Be Fine’ Despite Russia’s Growing Challenges
Russia-Ukraine War Speaking on the 25th anniversary of his rule, President Vladimir V. Putin delivered an upbeat and vague New Year’s Eve message that did not address casualties in Ukraine or rising inflation at home. By Anatoly Kurmanaev Reporting from Berlin A quarter century after assuming power, President Vladimir V. Putin told Russians in his…
Holiday Briefing: Welcome to 2025
Plus, you shared the New Year’s resolutions that stuck. By Gaya Gupta It’s been a year, hasn’t it? There was a lot to cover. Donald Trump stormed back to the White House after his felony conviction. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine raged on. A.I. became an even bigger part of our lives.…
A Mexican Mayor’s Odyssey: From Undocumented Migrant to Cartel Target
Global Profile A former undocumented resident of California who now runs a town in Mexico, Crispín Agustín Mendoza has survived one assassination attempt. But he says, “I have to learn how to survive.” Armed men tried to kill Crispín Agustín Mendoza, mayor of Alcozauca, Mexico, in his home. But he fought back, and now is…
British man, Edward Pettifer, among 14 killed in New Orleans truck attack
Met police and Foreign Office say they are supporting family of 31-year-old from Chelsea A British man was among 14 people killed in a New Year’s Day vehicle attack in New Orleans, it has been confirmed. The Metropolitan police said they were supporting the family of Edward Pettifer, 31, of Chelsea, who was killed in…
Man charged over alleged rape of Virgin Australia crew member in Fiji
Airline staff were celebrating New Year’s Eve in Nadi when the alleged incident occurred A man has been charged with the alleged rape and sexual assault of a Virgin Australia crew member in Fiji in the early hours of New Year’s Day. The man “will be produced in court on Monday”, after having been taken…
Wednesday Briefing
The end of a turbulent 2024. By Natasha Frost It’s been a year, hasn’t it? There was a lot to cover. Donald Trump stormed back to the White House after his felony conviction. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine raged on. A.I. became an even bigger part of our lives. Evan Gershkovich, a…
South Korean Unrest Conspiracy Theories Are Spread by Social Media
South Korea Turmoil Right-wing YouTubers helped President Yoon Suk Yeol win his election. They are now his allies in the wake of his botched imposition of martial law. By Choe Sang-Hun Reporting from Seoul Every day for the past week, Kim Kwon-seop, 72, has joined thousands of others gathered near the home of South Korea’s impeached…
Teenage kicks – what makes history-making Littler so good?
Luke Littler is the youngest darts world champion, taking the record from Michael van Gerwen, who was 24 when he won in 2014 “Every 17 years a star is born.” That was the praise lavished on Luke Littler by his beaten rival Michael van Gerwen after the 17-year-old became darts’ youngest world champion. Littler crushed…
Myanmar junta to free about 6,000 prisoners in annual amnesty, including 180 foreigners
It was not clear whether Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held virtually incommunicado since 2021 coup, would be among those released Myanmar’s military government will release about 6,000 prisoners and has reduced other inmates’ sentences as part of a mass amnesty on Saturday marking the 77th anniversary of independence from Britain. There was…
Ukraine Halts the Flow of Natural Gas From Russia to Europe
Russia-Ukraine War A transnational pipeline was shut down on Wednesday after Kyiv refused to renew a prewar agreement that allowed for the transit of Russian gas through its territory. By Marc SantoraAndrew Higgins and Jenny Gross Marc Santora reported from Kyiv, Ukraine, Andrew Higgins from Warsaw and Jenny Gross from Brussels. The flow of natural…
Last hope for Indian nurse on death row in Yemen: pardon from victim’s family
Family members of an Indian nurse who is on death row in war-torn Yemen say they are pinning their hopes on a last-ditch effort to save her. Nimisha Priya, 34, was sentenced to death for the murder of a local man – her former business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi – whose chopped-up body was discovered…
Rebels Easily Toppled Syria’s Army. Their Challenge Now: Rebuilding.
Syria’s Civil War The rebels’ path to victory is littered with evidence of Syria’s defeated military. It also reflects the sizable task of trying to put the country back together. The rebels’ path to victory is littered with evidence of Syria’s defeated military. It also reflects the sizable task of trying to put the country…
Chilean president makes historic trip to South Pole
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric has become the first leader in the Americas to visit the South Pole, after arriving at a US base there. The president said his visit to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station reaffirmed Chile’s own claim to sovereignty over part of the Antarctic. “This is a milestone for us,” Boric said in…
In France, Drug Traffic Spreads to Small Towns
France’s Political Turmoil Even quaint corners of the country are seeing a rise in drug violence and crime. Just ask the mayor of Morlaix, which has a population of about 15,000. By Richard Fausset Reporting from Morlaix, France For centuries in Morlaix, a city of cobblestones and creperies on the Breton coast of France, the…
Why does Britain face flight chaos during bad weather?
Heavy winds and fog led to thousands of flights being delayed or cancelled at the end of 2024 – and wintry weather could bring further disruption this weekend. It can seem a mystery to many frustrated flyers that a brief spell of bad weather can upend schedules, especially since British weather isn’t exactly famed for…
China’s overqualified youth taking jobs as drivers, labourers and film extras
China is now a country where a high-school handyman has a master’s degree in physics; a cleaner is qualified in environmental planning; a delivery driver studied philosophy, and a PhD graduate from the prestigious Tsinghua University ends up applying to work as an auxiliary police officer. These are real cases in a struggling economy –…
Net neutrality is struck, ending a long battle to regulate ISPs like public utilities
Emma Bowman A federal appeals court struck down the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality rules, ending a 20-year push to regulate internet service providers like a public utility. A U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati on Thursday ruled that the FCC did not have legal authority to reinstate the landmark net…
‘It is impossible to outrun them’: how drones transformed war in Ukraine
Small FPV drones, which travel at 37mph, have become ubiquitous, evolving from ‘a novelty to a weapon of choice’ Denys, a soldier with Ukraine’s Khyzhak brigade, describes a new kind of war. Standing in a barracks workshop with piles of basic Ukrainian First Person View (FPV) drones behind him, he says simply: “There are fewer…
How the Islamic State Radicalizes People Today
New Orleans Attack A man who pledged allegiance to the terrorist group carried out a deadly attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. By Alissa J. Rubin The Islamic State has lost thousands of fighters to death or prison and suffered the demise of its self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria. But the global…
Justin Baldoni Plans to Sue Blake Lively, Release Their Text Messages
After Justin Baldoni filed a lawsuit against the New York Times for their report centering his It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively’s allegations against him, his attorney says they will sue her. Justin Baldoni is preparing for another legal battle. Three days after the It Ends With Us star filed a lawsuit against The…
The Traitors: Is a Welsh accent really more trustworthy?
This article includes some discussion of the first episode of The Traitors, but does not contain major spoilers such as who the new traitors are or who gets murdered or banished. Plot twists are happening already in Traitors season three, as one contestant from London lifted the lid on her charming – but false –…
Tensions Escalate After Pakistan Pounds Afghanistan With Airstrikes
Pakistani leaders were once friends of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Now, cross-border violence has become alarmingly frequent. By Zia ur-Rehman Reporting from Karachi, Pakistan Airstrikes by Pakistani warplanes inside Afghanistan have intensified tensions in recent days in an already volatile region. Once-close ties between Pakistan’s leaders and the Afghan Taliban have frayed, and violent cross-border…
Jay-Z’s Request to File to Dismiss Rape Accuser’s Lawsuit Granted
Jay-Z, who was accused of raping a teenager in a lawsuit filed against him and against Sean “Diddy” Combs last month, has been granted his request to file a motion to dismiss the suit. Jay-Z is continuing his legal battle. Weeks after the rapper was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in lawsuit filed against…
Farage distances himself from Musk on Robinson
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has distanced himself from Elon Musk’s support for jailed far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson. The tech multi-billionaire added his voice to calls to release Yaxley-Lennon, who was jailed in October after admitting contempt of court by repeating false claims against a Syrian refugee. Farage has been…
Gaza Residents Endure Harsh Conditions as Israel-Hamas War Continues Into 2025
Middle East Crisis Several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the city of Jabaliya, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense. Israel’s military said it was targeting Hamas. By Aaron Boxerman Reporting from Jerusalem Displaced Gazans largely entered the new year on Wednesday shivering in tent camps or taking refuge in schools-turned-shelters as Israel’s…
‘At a loss for words’: loved ones mourn victims of New Orleans truck attack
Family remembers Terrence Kennedy, 63, as ‘nicest person in the world’ after reporting he was one of 14 people killed More victims of the New Year’s attack in New Orleans, which killed at least 14 people and injured dozens more, have been identified by their relatives, as authorities continue to investigate the fatal incident. The…