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. […]
Grooming still happening in Oxford, ex-investigator says
A former police officer who led a grooming investigation in Oxford has said a similar type of sexual abuse is still happening, warning that the “guys we couldn’t catch are still out there”. Simon Morton, former senior investigating officer for Thames Valley Police, told the BBC that perpetrators in the area are operating in plain…
Travis Kelce Teases Ideal Wedding Timeline
Travis Kelce said he’s not a fan of fall weddings since that is prime time for football: “Don’t make my friends choose.” For Travis Kelce, the idea of a fall wedding is a little gauche. After all, ’tis the damn season for football. And the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, who is dating Taylor Swift,…
Half of English county councils could ask to delay elections
More than half of the county councils in England with elections scheduled for this year could seek to have the votes postponed, the BBC can reveal. At least 12 out of 21 county councils due to hold elections in May are poised to ask ministers to delay the ballots to explore options set out in…
The NHL postpones a game and the Lakers coach evacuates his family amid LA fires
Becky Sullivan The National Hockey League postponed a game in Los Angeles, and Pasadena’s iconic Rose Bowl Stadium came under evacuation warning as the wildfires burning across Southern California grew Wednesday. The NHL announced it would indefinitely delay a game between the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames that had been set to take place…
Palisades and Eaton Fires Show Rising Dangers of Fast-Moving Fires
Palisades and Eaton Fires Show Rising Dangers of Fast-Moving Blazes In California and elsewhere, fast-moving fires are particularly damaging and expensive because they take people by surprise, making evacuations difficult By Stephanie Pappas edited by Andrea Thompson Strong winds blow embers as the Palisades Fire burns homes on the Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful…
Japanese yakuza leader pleads guilty to trafficking nuclear materials from Myanmar
US authorities charged Takeshi Ebisawa with conspiring to traffic nuclear materials from Myanmar for expected use by Iran in nuclear weapons A member of the Japanese criminal underworld has pleaded guilty to handling nuclear material sourced from Myanmar and seeking to sell it to fund an illicit arms deal, US authorities have said. Yakuza leader…
Israeli military says body of Bedouin hostage found in Gaza
The Israeli military says its troops have found the body of a Bedouin Arab hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, as well as evidence that suggests another may also be dead. The body of Yousef Zyadna, 53, was recovered from an underground tunnel in the southern Rafah area on Tuesday. The troops also made what…
IDF restricts media coverage of soldiers to protect them from risk of legal action
Israeli military’s new rules intended to protect reservists travelling overseas from facing allegations of war crimes The Israeli military has placed new restrictions on media coverage of soldiers on active combat duty because of growing concern about the risk of legal action against reservists travelling abroad over allegations of involvement in war crimes in Gaza.…
Joe Biden’s Granddaughter Naomi Biden Gives Birth to First Baby
Joe Biden’s eldest Granddaughter Naomi Biden has given birth to her first baby with husband Peter Neal, the United States President confirmed. There’s a new addition to the Biden Family tree. Two months after sharing her pregnancy, Naomi Biden—the eldest granddaughter of current United States President Joe Biden—gave birth to her and husband Peter Neal’s first baby, a…
Hiker Found Alive After 13 Days Lost in Australian Mountains
The 23-year-old hiker, Hadi Nazari, survived for almost two weeks on two granola bars he found in a hut and on water from rivers and creeks, the authorities said. By Sara Ruberg A 23-year-old man who became lost in the Australian wilderness while hiking was found alive by other hikers on Wednesday after living for…
New Caledonia Congress elects pro-France president after political crisis
New leader Alcide Ponga says people want a ‘signal of hope’ after turmoil in the French Pacific territory Weeks after its first ever pro-independence government collapsed, New Caledonia has named a French loyalist as its new president as the territory seeks to rebuild from deadly riots and destruction that battered the economy. Alcide Ponga, from…
Warning after two lynx released in Highlands
Police are investigating the illegal release of two lynx in the Highlands and have urged the public not to approach the wild cats. The alarm was raised at about 16:20 when they were spotted in the Drumguish area, near to Kingussie. Specially trained staff from the Highland Wildlife Park are assisting officers to trace the…
Labour sees off Tory ‘bandwagon’ call for new inquiry into sexual abuse gangs
Ministers condemn Conservative attempt to block child wellbeing and schools bill with ‘shameful’ amendment Cabinet ministers have ramped up attacks on Conservative “bandwagon jumping” over child rape gangs during furious exchanges in the Commons as the government saw off a Tory attempt to force a new inquiry. Amid continued pressure, No 10 appeared to slightly…
Steve Guttenberg Joins First Responders to Battle Palisades Fires
While Los Angeles wildfires ravaged over 10,000 acres of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, Police Academy actor Steve Guttenberg jumped into action to help people evacuate. Steve Guttenberg interrupted a news station’s regularly scheduled programming with an “important announcement” amid Los Angeles wildfires. As massive brush fires, exacerbated by winds up to nearly 100 mph, raged…
Wicked leads acting awards race but Jolie snubbed
The origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West has five nominations in total, including individual nods for Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey. Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown scored four nominations, including one for its lead actor Timothée Chalamet. There were three nominations each for Anora, which follows a New York…
‘Raining ash’: Residents share how they fled the Southern California wildfires
By Alana Wise This is a developing story. For the latest local updates head to LAist.com and sign up for breaking news alerts. Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate their homes amid the three raging and uncontained wildfires in Southern California. NPR member station LAist has been covering the destruction the fires have wrought, and on day…
Brooke Shields Says Doctor Did “Bonus” Labia Surgery Without Consent
Brooke Shields detailed how a male plastic surgeon “threw in a little bonus” procedure without her consent when she underwent labia reduction surgery after spending years struggling with discomfort. Brooke Shields will no longer beat around the bush when it comes to women’s health. The Suddenly Susan actress shared in her new memoir that she…
People smugglers to have finances targeted by UK
New sanctions targeting the finances of people smuggling networks will make it harder for gangs to profit from the deadly trade, the Home Office has said. The government has said the proposed measures aimed at curbing illegal migration into the UK are expected to come into force this year. The sanctions, designed to disrupt the…
Pluto May Have Won Its Moon Charon with a ‘Kiss’
Pluto May Have Won Its Moon Charon with a ‘Kiss’ Pluto and its largest moon Charon could have come together via a 10-hour “kiss-and-capture” encounter after a grazing collision By Robert Lea & SPACE.com A composite enhanced-color image of Pluto (right) and Charon (left) as seen by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft as it passed by…
Parents in Welsh county told to come to school to change nappies if their child is not toilet trained
Policy change by Blaenau Gwent council means teachers will no longer change nappies or pull-ups unless there is a ‘medically recognised need’ Parents in Blaenau Gwent, Wales have been told they have to come to school to change nappies if their children are not toilet trained. The local authority told parents that it was their…
Flooding’s Hidden Killers Include Heart Attacks and Infections
Flooding’s Hidden Killers Include Heart Attacks and Infections A new study found that flood deaths can rise by 25 percent three months after a disaster By Ariel Wittenberg & E&E News People inspect the flood damage in the Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Hurricane…
Now a key playmaker – how the role of a goalkeeper changed
How the role of a goalkeeper changed For many years the role of the goalkeeper was to keep the ball out of their net and then get it as far up the pitch as possible. But over the past decade their duties have steadily evolved. They are now heavily involved in a team’s tactical play…
Mourners gather for Kelyan Bokassa, 14, who was stabbed on London bus
The teenager, who was fatally attacked in Woolwich, was described as ‘very, very caring’ by his mother Mourners gathered to remember a teenager stabbed to death on a London bus at a church vigil on Wednesday evening. Kelyan Bokassa, 14, was travelling on a 472 bus to Abbey Wood when he was attacked at about…
Ryanair sues ‘unruly’ passenger over flight diversion
Ryanair is pursuing legal action against a passenger who allegedly caused a major disruption on a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote. The airline is seeking £12,500 in damages to cover expenses incurred when the plane had to divert to Porto, Portugal. On Wednesday, the airline announced it had filed proceedings against the passenger, whose behaviour…
Israeli Soldiers on Vacation Are Being Investigated for War Crimes in Gaza
Middle East Crisis The Israeli military will longer identify its forces by name in the media, “fearing the arrest of soldiers abroad.” By Amanda Taub An Israeli reservist left Brazil in a hurry this week after a Brazilian judge ordered an investigation into whether he committed war crimes in Gaza. Israeli consular officials helped the…
Post-cold war era ‘well and truly over’, warns David Lammy
Foreign secretary says keeping the British people safe means standing up to Russia The post-cold war era is “well and truly over” and keeping the British people safe means standing up to Russia, the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, has warned. Writing in the Guardian before a meeting likely to be focused on Ukraine between…
Critics Choice Awards Postponed Amid Devastating Fires
The 2025 Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Jan. 12, are being postponed as Los Angeles battles a series of wildfires. Hollywood is pressing pause as the community navigates heartbreaking wildfires. The 2025 Critics Choice Awards, originally set to air on E! Jan. 12 with host Chelsea Handler, have been postponed until Jan. 26. The…
What it’s like inside LA’s real life apocalypse movie
Los Angeles is no stranger to disaster, having weathered floods, earthquakes and riots. But Tuesday brought one of most devastating days in the city’s history. The Pacific Palisades Fire started around 10:30 local time. Stoked by ferocious winds, the fire quickly spread, soon engulfing more than 3,000 acres in that upscale community. Soon the horizon…
Brazil says Meta getting rid of factcheckers is ‘bad for democracy’
Brazilian officials also ask tech giant to clarify whether it intends to implement changes in country within 30 days The decision by the social media giant Meta to end factchecking in the United States is “bad for democracy”, Brazil’s newly appointed communication minister, Sidonio Palmeira, said on Wednesday. Meta’s founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, stunned…
Saudi Arabia May Partner With UFC Owner TKO to Create Boxing League
A company owned by the country’s sovereign wealth fund is poised to team up with TKO, which owns Ultimate Fighting Championship, the kingdom’s latest foray into pro sports. By Tariq Panja and Kevin Draper In the days after Donald J. Trump was re-elected president, one of his most high-profile stops was at an Ultimate Fighting…
Baby born on migrant boat crossing from Africa to Canary Islands
A baby was born on a crowded migrant dinghy which travelled from Africa to the Canary Islands this week, Spanish coast guards say. They have published a picture of the baby boy who was rescued on alongside his mother and scores of other migrants. The crowded inflatable raft was first spotted on 6 January off…
Hostage Is Found Dead in Gaza Tunnel, Israel Says
Middle East Crisis The hostage, Youssef Ziyadne, an Arab Bedouin, was seized along with three grown children on Oct. 7, 2023. Two of them were released, but there is “serious concern” about the fate of the third. By Ephrat Livni The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it had discovered the body of a hostage…
Bizarre Australian mole even more unusual than first thought, new research reveals
Experts say marsupial mole DNA shows they are closely linked to bandicoots and bilbies and their ancestors probably evolved in rainforests University of Melbourne researchers, who led the study, extracted DNA from a museum specimen then sequenced and analysed its genome to uncover the evolutionary secrets of the golden-haired species, about which “almost nothing is…
How to get more movement into your screen-filled life. No gym required.
By Manoush Zomorodi , Fiona Geiran , Sanaz Meshkinpour Want to spend less time on your devices and more time on your feet in 2025? We’re here to help with a two-week challenge that can jumpstart your year: Add regular movement breaks throughout your day, ideally 5 minutes every half hour, for two weeks. For…
Lucy Letby retrial needed after ‘clear miscarriage of justice’, says David Davis
MP tells parliament he believes justice has not been done after hearing experts’ concerns over former nurse’s murder convictions Fundamental flaws in the criminal trial system led to the former nurse Lucy Letby being convicted of murder in a “clear miscarriage of justice”, David Davis has said in parliament. In a parliamentary debate, the former…
Blinken and French Diplomat Criticize Trump’s Talk of Taking Greenland
Trump Transition In Paris, the two officials acknowledged potential strains on alliances with the return of Donald J. Trump to power, but said their countries would try to maintain strong ties. By Edward Wong and Richard Fausset The journalists reported from Paris. Edward Wong is traveling with the U.S. secretary of state across Asia and…
What are the Santa Ana winds and how are they impacting the L.A. wildfires?
By Scott Neuman The intense and fast-moving fires that have cut a path of destruction through the suburbs of Los Angeles, killing at least two people, are being driven by the region’s powerful Santa Ana winds, with gusts that in some cases surpass hurricane-strength. The two largest blazes — the Palisades and Eaton Fires —…
Jean-Marie Le Pen’s death brings rivalry between Marine and niece into focus
Family seeks to show a united front as French minister condemns ‘shameful’ celebrations of his demise The death of Jean-Marie Le Pen looked likely to reignite rivalries in his family over who is the rightful heir to the far-right political dynasty, as the French government condemned as “simply shameful” crowds of people who took to…
Top Iranian General Admits ‘Big’ Defeat in Syria
Syria’s Civil War For weeks, Iranian officials have downplayed the fall of their ally in Syria. But an important general has offered a remarkably candid view of the blow to Iran, and its military’s prospects. By Farnaz Fassihi Iran’s top ranking general in Syria has contradicted the official line taken by Iran’s leaders on the…
Pound falls as borrowing costs rise to highest since 2008
The pound has fallen to its lowest level for nine months after UK government borrowing costs continued to rise. The drop came as UK 10-year borrowing costs surged to their highest level since the 2008 financial crisis when bank borrowing almost ground to a halt. Economists have warned the rising costs could lead to further…
CPS given file over Premier League footballer rape claims
The Metropolitan Police has passed a full evidence file about a Premier League footballer accused of rape to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a charging decision, the BBC has been told. The CPS said it is carefully reviewing the file of evidence in relation to a man, while the Met said it is continuing…
‘América Mexicana’: Mexico’s president responds to Trump with renaming of her own
Claudia Sheinbaum joked about renaming the entire continent in retort to Trump’s ‘Gulf of America’ comments Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, has responded to Donald Trump’s proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America with a counter-proposal to rename North America. Standing before a global map in her daily press briefing, Sheinbaum…
Far-right group Blood and Honour has assets frozen by government
The neo-Nazi organisation Blood and Honour, which is linked to parts of the skinhead music scene, has become the first extreme right-wing group to have financial sanctions imposed by the UK government. Treasury ministers said they had “reasonable grounds to suspect” Blood and Honour of being involved in “terrorist activities through promoting and encouraging terrorism,…
Boy fatally stabbed on London bus named as Kelyan Bokassa
Fourteen-year-old died after he was stabbed on 472 bus to Abbey Wood in south-east of capital on Tuesday afternoon A 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death on a London bus has been named by his mother as Kelyan Bokassa. Kelyan was travelling on a 472 bus to Abbey Wood when he was attacked at…
A record 24 million people now get Obamacare health plans. Will it last under Trump?
Selena Simmons-Duffin Nearly 24 million Americans are buying their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act – and there’s still a week to go for open enrollment signups. “We’ve once again set a new all-time record for marketplace enrollment,” Neera Tanden, Domestic Policy Advisor to President Biden, said on a press call Tuesday. “In fact,…
Justin Baldoni Complains in Voice Memo About Alleged Premiere Shunning
It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni sounded off on allegedly being shunned to the basement during the film’s August premiere in a voice memo played on The Megyn Kelly show Jan. 7. The It Ends With Us controversy surrounding Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively isn’t ending anytime soon. During the Jan. 7 episode of The Megyn Kelly…
Girl Scouts are retiring two cookie flavors (don’t worry, your Thin Mints are safe)
Neda Ulaby The two soon-to-be departed cookie flavors leaving the Girl Scout lineup may not even be ones you’ve heard of, unless there’s a Girl Scout in your family. “At the close of the 2025 cookie season, two beloved cookie flavors, Girl Scout S’mores and Toast-Yay!, will be retired,” Girl Scouts of the USA announced…
Chris Mason: Is Starmer leaving the door open to an abuse inquiry?
“He’s deranged!” So said a cabinet minister to me, describing Elon Musk. The anger and exasperation at the heart of government about the world’s richest man is palpable. The flurry – or slurry, as his critics see it – of social media posts from Mr Musk include not just gratuitous insults and ignorance, but falsehoods.…
How Trump’s Greenland Plan Could Hit Ozempic, Legos and Hearing Aids
Putting tariffs on Denmark unless it cedes the island of Greenland could hurt access to a few key products, including popular medicines. By Ana Swanson and Jenny Gross Ana Swanson reported from Washington and Jenny Gross reported from Brussels. President-elect Donald J. Trump has threatened tariffs on many countries for many different reasons. On Monday,…
Inclusive transition best path to lifting of Syria sanctions, says UN special envoy
Geir Pedersen tells security council the HTS administration has great opportunities but also risks making missteps A credible process leading to a new transitional government involving all strands of Syrian society is the best way for the country’s caretaker administration to secure a smooth lifting of sanctions, the UN special envoy Geir Pedersen has told…
Jamie Lee Curtis Shares Gutting Message Amid “Terrifying” L.A. Fires
After evacuating her home during the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires, Jamie Lee Curtis shared a heartbreaking social media update. Jamie Lee Curtis fears for her community amid ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. Raging brush fires in Southern California have forced 30,000 residents—including the Freaky Friday actress—to evacuate areas of the Pacific Palisades, Topanga and Malibu.…
Los Angeles wildfires in maps
Firefighters in Los Angeles are battling a number of blazes in city suburbs, as tens of thousands of residents are forced to flee. The rapidly changing situation is compounded by Santa Ana winds and extremely dry conditions. Currently authorities say there is no possibility of bringing the fires under control. The Palisades fire, which is…
Trump’s Territorial Ambitions Rattle a Weary World
News Analysis A distant era of global politics, when nations scrambled to grab territory, suddenly seems less distant. By Damien Cave Damien Cave covers global affairs after two decades reporting from dozens of countries. When Donald J. Trump won a return to the White House, many countries thought they knew what to expect and how…
Two power station owners to get more than £12m for three hours of electricity
Uniper and a subsidiary of Vitol able to charge 50 times recent market price to ensure supply during evening peak Two gas power station owners will be paid more than £12m to supply just three hours of electricity on Wednesday evening after freezing weather led to some of the highest market prices since the energy…
LA wildfire causes ‘significant damage’ at school made famous by Hollywood
A well-known high school in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles has reportedly sustained “significant damage” as wildfires rage in the US city. Parts of Palisades Charter High School – which counts celebrities including Will.i.am and Forest Whitaker among its alumni and has itself been a Hollywood filming location – have been affected, local…
Here’s where things stand for seven major landmarks in the Los Angeles fires
By Dhanika Pineda Southern California is currently fighting multiple major wildfires, exacerbated by hurricane-strength winds that have resulted in red flag warnings and evacuation orders in multiple zones. The current fires are the Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades, the Eaton fire, the Hurst fire in the Sylmar area, and the Tyler fire in Riverside…
Chase Chrisley Named as Suspect in Alleged Bar Assault
Growing Up Chrisley’s Chase Chrisley has been named as a suspect for simple assault following an alleged altercation at an Atlanta, Georgia, bar. Chase Chrisley is in some hot water. The Growing up Chrisley star has been identified as a suspect in an altercation that occurred in Atlanta, Georgia, as seen in a police report…
Baby born on crowded small boat crossing from Africa to Canary Islands
The boy and his mother as well as dozens of others were rescued off the coast of Lanzarote, Spain A baby boy has been born on a small, crowded boat carrying 60 people on the deadly Atlantic migration route from Africa to the Canary Islands. The boat was spotted off the coast of Lanzarote on…
Can Trump Change the Name of the Gulf of Mexico?
Presidential naming powers usually stop at the water’s edge. By Eve Sampson President-elect Donald J. Trump said Tuesday that he planned to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” one of several foreign policy proposals that left world leaders reeling. “It has a beautiful ring,” he said of the…
‘Patients are collapsing in the waiting room’: A&E nurses speak out
The NHS is experiencing intense winter pressure, with critical incidents declared at a dozen hospitals across the UK by Wednesday. Ahead of a special day of coverage, the BBC has spoken to nurses dealing with demand in A&Es. “Patients are collapsing in the waiting room. It’s just hectic,” Lorraine, a nurse in Birmingham, told BBC…