JWST Sees Hints of an Atmosphere on a Potentially Habitable Exoplanet
Hints of Atmosphere on Earth-Sized Exoplanet Raise Hopes for Life A monumental sign of an atmosphere on TRAPPIST-1e could be the precursor to finally finding a living world around another star By Jonathan O’Callaghan edited by Lee Billings This artist’s concept shows the volatile red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 and its four most closely orbiting planets, […]
How to See Faster-Than-Light Motion
The UniverseFridays How to See Faster-Than-Light Motion Superluminal velocities are common but illusory By Phil Plait edited by Clara Moskowitz The light echo around the star V838 Monocerotis as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope in November 2005. Stay connected to The Universe: Get email alerts for this weekly column by Phil Plait When I […]
How Many Planets Orbit Our Nearest Neighboring Star?
New Instrument Checks on Proxima Centauri’s Planets Fresh results from near-infrared instruments foretell a bright future for finding life elsewhere in the Milky Way By Ivan Farkas edited by Lee Billings An artist’s impression of the Proxima Centauri system, with the planets Proxima b and Proxima d—the latter confirmed by the NIRPS planet-hunting instrument. Some […]
Starship’s 10th flight breaks streak of bad luck
Nell Greenfieldboyce SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket racked up some much-needed successes on its 10th test flight, hitting key test objectives and breaking a streak of failures that bedeviled the spaceship this year. The silver and black two-stage rocket, which stands about 400 feet tall, blasted off from the SpaceX facility in south Texas near Boca […]
SpaceX Successfully Launches Starship Spacecraft After String of Mishaps
SpaceX Successfully Launches Starship Spacecraft after String of Mishaps Overcoming three recent failed tries, Elon Musk’s rocket company successfully flew its reusable jumbo booster and upper-stage Starship spacecraft By Dan Vergano edited by Clara Moskowitz An earlier SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy booster are moved to the launch pad at Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. […]
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…
Politics content to be pushed to Instagram and Threads users
The firm says its part of its reorientation towards “free expression” – a move that saw it ditch fact checkers on Tuesday. The change will be introduced in the US this week before being expanded globally next week. Users will not be able to turn off unsolicited political posts but can choose between three settings…
Greens attack Woodside proposal to bury CO2 from WA gas project under pristine reef
Party labels plan for offshore carbon capture and storage near Scott Reef ‘nothing but greenwashing’ and calls on Albanese government to extend public consultation Woodside Energy has proposed burying 4m tonnes of CO2 a year from its multibillion-dollar Browse project in undersea storage off the coast of Western Australia. The federal environment department published the…
‘Traitors’ Season 3: Shop Official Merch Now
There’s no better way to celebrate the reality series heading into its third season than with some must-have ‘The Traitors’ tops, hoodies, hats, totes, and so much more! The products featured in this article are from brands available in NBCUniversal Checkout. E! makes a commission on purchases. The Traitors are back, and the drama is about…
Why are UK borrowing costs rising and what does it mean for me?
Government borrowing costs have been steadily rising in recent months, and have now hit their highest levels for several years. Why is this happening and how does it affect you? A bond is a bit like an IOU that can be traded in the financial markets. Governments generally spend more than they raise in tax…
A major winter storm will bring snow to the South. Here are tips from winter experts
By Mara Hoplamazian Much of the southern U.S. is bracing for significant snowfall and frigid temperatures this week. Weather warnings and watches extend throughout the region, including northern Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Georgia, where several inches of snow could fall. The second major winter storm of 2025 is expected to bring snow and freezing…
Lego links up with TV hit Bluey for toy sets to be launched this year
Partnership ‘a long time coming’ and is latest expansion of Australian-made animated series The global hit children’s TV show Bluey is to make its Lego debut with the first sets due to hit shelves later this year. The world of Bluey, which has proved such a small-screen hit a film is to be made for…
Jessica Alba Compared Her & Cash Warren to “Roommates” Before Breakup
Jessica Alba gave a candid look into her marriage to Cash Warren—including how they’d become more like roommates—less than a year before their separation. Jessica Alba was honest about the realities of marriage ahead of her breakup with Cash Warren. Following the news that the pair are separated with a divorce on the horizon, an…
Average renter would take 8.3 years to save enough for a house deposit, new Victorian analysis shows
Exclusive: PBO report based on wage growth, house prices and rent rises says nearly a decade needed if 20% of gross income is put aside It could take almost a decade for the average Victorian renter who puts aside 20% of their gross income to save enough money for a home deposit in 2035, according…
Special ed students benefit from being integrated at school. It doesn’t always happen
Jonaki Mehta Kellen Hedler, 11, is outgoing and gregarious. He dances on a hip-hop team, and he enjoys all kinds of sports. Adaline Whitmer, 7, is bubbly, yet shy. She’s starting to come out of her shell since she began cheerleading at a local gym. Both Kellen and Adaline attend public elementary schools in Oklahoma.…
How Elon Musk seized on baseless memo claim to fuel wave of misinformation
Elon Musk’s online attacks on former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown over grooming gangs draw on a baseless claim about a Home Office memo supposedly issued 17 years ago, research by BBC Verify has established. A wave of social media posts – including some amplified by Mr Musk – allege that a 2008 Home Office…
What’s next for Canada? 5 questions will help decide the future after Trudeau
By Bill Chappell Canada is entering a major transition in its national politics after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed he will resign. Questions about his political future had been raging for weeks, but his exit raises even more issues. After losing support within his own party and at the polls, Trudeau said on Monday that…
Former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg sentenced after admitting domestic abuse
The former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg will be supervised for a year as an alternative to jail after he admitted abusing his estranged wife over the course of five years. He pleaded guilty to a single charge of domestic abuse of his ex-partner, Gillian Hogg, when he appeared at Selkirk Sheriff Court on…
Truss issues legal threat to PM over claim she crashed economy
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss has sent a legal “cease and desist” letter to Sir Keir Starmer demanding he stop saying she “crashed the economy”. Her lawyers argue the claim made repeatedly by Sir Keir is “false and defamatory” and harmed her politically in the run-up to losing her South West Norfolk seat in the…
Elon Musk Is Trying to Break Germany’s Quarantine on the Far-Right AfD
news analysis Political leaders have shunned the Alternative for Germany. But on his social media platform X, Mr. Musk is pitching the party as mainstream. By Jim Tankersley Reporting from Berlin Elon Musk is not just dabbling in German politics. He is attempting to break a political blockade that has kept the nation’s most prominent…
Lily Allen Says She’s Not “Good” Amid David Harbour Breakup Rumors
Amid rumors that Lily Allen and Stranger Things’ David Harbour have separated after four years of marriage, the “Littlest Things” singer got candid about her mental health. Lily Allen is opening up about a rough patch. Amid rumors that the “Littlest Things” singer has split from her husband David Harbour after four years of marriage,…
Prince William Praises “Remarkable” Kate Middleton in B-Day Message
Prince William made rare personal comments about his wife Kate Middleton in honor of her 43rd birthday. See the sweet tribute to the Princess of Wales. Prince William penned a birthday message fit for a princess. In honor of Kate Middleton’s 43rd birthday Jan. 9, the Prince of Wales dedicated a rare and personal tribute…
Lloyds to let customers use Halifax and BoS branches, raising job cut fears
Account holders at the group’s three brands will be able to use any of their locations, but unions fear site closures Lloyds Banking Group will allow customers to use any of its Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Lloyds branches as part of a shake-up that has sparked fears of job cuts and site closures, weeks…
Russia says it is keeping close eye on Trump’s claim to Greenland
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Russia is closely monitoring the situation, after US President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out military action to take Greenland from Denmark. Peskov said the Arctic was in Russia’s “sphere of national and strategic interests and it is interested in peace and stability there”. Trump’s remarks on Greenland –…
Wildfires upend lives in Southern California. And, Jimmy Carter’s state funeral
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. Nearly 30,000 acres continue to burn early today across Los Angeles County. At least five people have died and the fires have destroyed whole neighborhoods. Every school in Los…
Bad Sleep Leaves the Brain More Vulnerable to Intrusive Thoughts
Here’s Why Bad Sleep and Toxic Thoughts Go Hand-in-Hand Findings reveal the memory-related brain processes that generate unwanted thoughts when people are sleep deprived By Rachel Nuwer edited by Gary Stix Imagine you are attending a friend’s housewarming party, and—in front of everyone—you spill a glass of red wine on their brand-new white couch. You…
Lebanese Lawmakers Choose a President After 2 Years of Gridlock
Middle East Crisis Lawmakers elected Joseph Aoun, the commander of the Lebanese military, the first step in forming a government to lead a country recovering from economic crisis and a devastating war. By Euan Ward Reporting from Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon’s fractured Parliament overcame more than two years of gridlock on Thursday to choose a new…
White powder sent to Belgian PM’s office identified as poison strychnine
Aide of Alexander De Croo hospitalised after opening letter containing potentially fatal poison A white powder in a letter that hospitalised an aide to Belgium’s prime minister, Alexander De Croo, has been identified as strychnine, a poison that can be fatal. The Brussels prosecutor’s office revealed on Wednesday the nature of the substance that was…
U.S. Efforts to Cut Emissions Stalled in 2024 as Power Demand Surged
After staying flat for nearly two decades, electricity use is starting to rise again, and the boom in wind and solar power hasn’t kept pace. By Brad Plumer America’s efforts to cut its climate change pollution stalled in 2024, with greenhouse gas emissions dropping just a fraction, 0.2 percent, compared to the year before, according…
What’s the latest on the LA fires, and what caused them?
Out-of-control wildfires are ripping across parts of Los Angeles, leading to at least five deaths, burning down hundreds of buildings, and prompting more than 130,000 people to flee their homes in America’s second-largest city. Despite the efforts of firefighters, the biggest blazes remain totally uncontained – with weather conditions and the underlying impact of climate…
Looking to have fun without alcohol? This guy has ideas that may help
Allison Aubrey If you’re looking for inspiration to stick with your Dry January commitment, you may want to check out booze-free gatherings happening all over the country. A Mindful Drinking Fest returns to Washington, D.C., this weekend. There’s Mocktails & Mingle in Chicago, a Dry Vibes celebration in Kansas City, a Mocktail Fest in Miami,…
Kurdish general urges Trump to leave US troops in north-east Syria
Exclusive: SDF leader says removal of 2,000-strong force would leave door open for Islamic State resurgence The leader of the Kurdish forces that control north-eastern Syria has called on Donald Trump to maintain a US military presence in the region, warning that a retreat would risk a resurgence of Islamic State in the country. Gen…
I Ditched My $200 Cream for This $18 Moisturizer—and Never Looked Back
Yep, 100,000+ rave reviews prove you don’t need to spend $200 for hydration miracles. E! may get a commission if you purchase something through our links. Learn more. Between harsh winter winds, holiday jet-setting, and sleepless nights, my skin was suffering. Dry patches on my chin, redness on my cheeks, and that dreaded burning sensation when…
All 5 living presidents expected to attend Jimmy Carter’s National Cathedral funeral
Elena Moore Political leaders in Washington will honor the life of former President Jimmy Carter with a funeral service at the National Cathedral this morning. Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at 100, was the nation’s longest-living president. Thursday’s event marks the final public tribute to Carter, following additional funeral services and ceremonies since Saturday…
European imports of liquefied natural gas from Russia at ‘record levels’
Rystad Energy releases data days after Ukraine stopped flows of Russian gas through its pipelines Europe bought a record amount of liquefied natural gas from Russia last year, data shows, despite EU efforts to ditch the fossil fuels funding Putin’s war chest. Ships carrying 17.8m tonnes of ultra-cold Russian gas docked in European ports in…
Hansen available for Six Nations after ban over ’16 men’ comments
Hansen has been one of Ireland’s standout performers in recent years Connacht wing Mack Hansen will be available to play in Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England after being handed a three-match ban for comments he made about the refereeing in his club’s loss to Leinster. Hansen said the refereeing of his side’s United Rugby…
How Prince William Supported Kate Middleton Through Cancer Treatment
While Kate Middleton has since returned to the spotlight, Prince William was the face of their family in public and his wife’s No. 1 champion at home while she underwent chemotherapy. In 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton vowed at the altar to look after each other—for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.…
Million year-old bubbles could solve ice age climate mystery
What is probably the world’s oldest ice, dating back 1.2m years ago, has been dug out from deep within Antarctica. Working at temperatures of -35C, a team of scientists extracted a 2.8km-long cyclinder, or core, of ice – longer than eight Eiffel Towers end-to-end. Suspended inside the ice are ancient air bubbles which scientists hope…
U.S. Saw an Opportunity While It Pushed to Arm Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine War The White House seized a rare chance to undermine Russia and build up regional allies as it built a coalition to support the Ukrainians. By John Ismay John Ismay reported from the first meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in April 2022 and has covered its activities ever since. Just weeks after…
Venezuela tumbles deeper into dictatorship with Nicolás Maduro set to extend 12-year rule
Global democratic leaders pledge a boycott as exiled opposition leader vows to return to challenge ceremony Venezuela’s tumble into authoritarianism is poised to enter an even harsher new phase this week with Nicolás Maduro set to extend his 12-year rule despite widespread suspicions that he stole last year’s presidential election. The man widely believed to…
Imprisoned Belarus activist resurfaces after being incommunicado for over 700 days
By The Associated Press Viktar Babaryka, 61, has been denied meetings with his family and lawyers while serving a 14-year sentence in a penal colony after failing to get on the ballot against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in a 2020 election. Babaryka was last heard from in February 2023, and other prisoners said later that…
These Comfy J.Crew Ballet Flats Survived Hours of Walking in Paris
Sleek, stylish, and oh-so cushiony, we finally found a pair of flats under $35 that give you the best of both worlds—and they survived the cobblestone streets of Paris! E! may get a commission if you purchase something through our links. Learn more. If you’re anything like me, sometimes, style takes priority over comfort. Especially if…
Greggs sales growth slows amid ‘lower consumer confidence’
Bakery chain says fewer shoppers on high streets over Christmas also to blame in ‘more challenging market’ Greggs, the UK’s biggest bakery chain, has reported slowing sales growth over the festive period, blaming weakening consumer confidence and fewer shoppers on high streets. The company said its total sales rose by 11.3% to just over £2bn…
Rugby star Stuart Hogg sentenced for domestic abuse
Former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg has been given a one-year community payback order after he admitted a domestic abuse charge against his estranged wife. The 32-year-old was previously given a five-year non-harassment order and fined £600 after breaching bail conditions. He had admitted shouting and swearing and acting in an abusive manner towards…