News
Russia and Ukraine swap at least 300 prisoners in exchange deal
Some of the freed Ukrainians had been held since war’s early days, while Russians were captured in Ukraine’s Kursk offensive Russia and Ukraine have carried out a major prisoner exchange, with at least 150 people from each side returning home before New Year’s Eve, in a swap partly brokered by the United Arab Emirates. “The…
Who’s dropped in on No 10? Visitors’ books made public for first time
Visitors’ books from Downing Street signed by some of the most famous figures in recent history have been made public for the first time. World leaders and members of the Royal Family are among the names in the three red leather, gilt-tooled volumes being released by the National Archives, spanning 1970 to 2003. The names…
South Korea Clears Way to Detain President in Martial Law Inquiry
The police are investigating whether President Yoon Suk Yeol tried to lead an insurrection when he declared martial law and plunged the country into crisis. By Qasim Nauman and Choe Sang-Hun Reporting from Seoul A court in South Korea cleared the way for the police to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning on Tuesday,…
Welsh Ambulance Service declares critical incident
The Welsh Ambulance Service has declared a critical incident because of increased demand across the 999 service and extensive hospital handover delays. It said more than 340 calls were waiting to be answered across Wales at the time the critical incident was declared on Monday evening. In addition, more than half of the trust’s ambulance…
Craig Conover Shared Plans to Marry Paige DeSorbo Weeks Before Breakup
Three weeks before Paige DeSorbo revealed her breakup with Craig Conover, the Southern Charm star shared that marriage and kids were likely in their future, saying, “We’re playing the long game.” It looks like Craig Conover‘s relationship didn’t turn out exactly how he planned. Three weeks before Paige DeSorbo revealed she and the Southern Charm…
Littler survives scare to reach Worlds quarter-finals
Fourth seed Luke Littler is highest-seeded player left in his side of the draw Teenager Luke Littler survived a massive scare but beat Ryan Joyce 4-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship. The 17-year-old was again, as has been the case throughout the tournament, far from his best, particularly on doubles,…
Labour government discussed Tanzania asylum camp plan in 2004, files show
Newly released files show proposals to divert £2m – earmarked to prevent conflict in Africa – to fund scheme Tony Blair’s government discussed diverting £2m earmarked to prevent conflict in Africa in order to fund a controversial pilot scheme to process and house asylum-seekers in Tanzania, newly released government files show. Under the scheme, Britain…
Auroras May Light Up New Year’s Sky after Solar Outbursts
Auroras May Light Up New Year’s Sky after Solar Outbursts Will still more auroras ring out 2024, a year marked by the celestial displays? By Meghan Bartels edited by Lee Billings The northern lights seen over Lindisfarne Castle in England on October 10, 2024. The sun is bidding farewell to 2024 with a bang—or rather…
Kristin Cavallari Sets Record Straight on Kardashian-Jenner Beef
Kristin Cavallari clarified whether she has beef with the Kardashian-Jenners after calling out Scott Disick for allegedly ending her friendship with Kourtney Kardashian. Kristin Cavallari is sharing her side of the story. After blaming Scott Disick for her alleged falling out with Kourtney Kardashian, Kristin set the record straight on their dynamic, saying she doesn’t “really…
Trinidad and Tobago Declares State of Emergency Over Rising Crime
To curb gang killings and a rise in homicides, the measure empowers the military to make arrests and allows the authorities to enter suspects’ homes without warrants and deny them bail. By Frances Robles and Prior Beharry Prior Beharry reported from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The government of Trinidad and Tobago, facing an…
US Treasury says it was hacked by China in ‘major incident’
The breach occurred in early December and was made public in a letter penned by the Treasury Department to lawmakers notifying them of the incident. The US agency characterised the breach as a “major incident”, and said it had been working with the FBI and other agencies to investigate the impact. A spokesman for the…
Olaf Scholz: German election ‘will not be decided by social media owners’
Chancellor’s New Year’s Eve address follows Elon Musk’s endorsement of German far-right party AfD on X The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has urged voters not to let the “owners of social media channels” decide next year’s snap election, after Elon Musk repeatedly endorsed the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). In a New Year’s Eve…
Gareth Southgate, Stephen Fry and Olympians lead New Year Honours list
Former England football manager Gareth Southgate and actor Stephen Fry have both been knighted in a New Year Honours list that also recognises the stars of the Olympic Games. 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, who receives an MBE, is one of several medallists to be honoured following the summer games in Paris. Mayor of London Sadiq…
Israel and Hamas Each Claim Wins in Fierce Fighting in Northern Gaza
Middle East Crisis As the renewed clashes in the north of the enclave neared the three-month mark, there was no sign of them abating. By Ephrat Livni After nearly three months of an intensified Israeli military campaign in northern Gaza to quell what Israel has said is a Hamas resurgence, fighting raged unabated on Monday,…
Sixty-mile drag mark found near damaged Baltic Sea cable, says Finland
Electricity cable link to Estonia was damaged on Christmas Day in suspected Russian act of sabotage Finnish investigators say they have found a seabed trail stretching almost 100km (about 60 miles) around the site of an underwater electricity cable that was damaged on Christmas Day in a suspected act of Russian sabotage. The ship under…
Court rejects Trump appeal in E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse and defamation case
Russell Lewis A federal appeals court has rejected an appeal by Donald Trump after a jury decision that he sexually abused and defamed E. Jean Carroll. After a nine-day civil trial in 2023, a jury determined that the plaintiff, E. Jean Carroll, was sexually abused by Donald Trump at a Manhattan department store in 1996.…
How Frazzled Parents Can Be More Present with Kids during the Holidays
How Frazzled Parents Can Be More Present with Kids during the Holidays Future-oriented thinking, rather than careening from moment to moment, can help parents have more meaningful moments with their children By Julia Felton, Crystal Cederna & The Conversation US The following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the…
Havana syndrome patients reportedly promised healthcare that never came
Letter allegedly written by US official shows contradictions in how government handled mysterious health incidents A leaked letter purportedly written by a senior US military official and published on social media on Monday highlights stark contradictions in the government’s approach to victims of Havana syndrome – a mysterious series of health incidents affecting personnel at…
Iran confirms arrest of Italian journalist
Iranian authorities have confirmed for the first time that Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was arrested in the country on the grounds of “violation of the Islamic Republic’s laws”. It comes as a US state department spokesperson told Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica that Ms Sala’s case could be linked to the recent arrest of an…
5 people have been charged in the death of Liam Payne
By The Associated Press BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — An Argentine judge confirmed charges against five people in connection with the death of Liam Payne, a former member of musical group One Direction, and ordered preventive prison for two of them for having supplied him with drugs. A judicial officer confirmed Monday the judge’s decision…
Zac Efron Reacts to Minnesota Vikings’ High School Musical Dance
Zac Efron had a winning response to Minnesota Vikings players dancing to High School Musical‘s “We’re All in This Together” while celebrating during their game against the Green Bay Packers. Here and now, it’s time for celebration. Once again, the Minnesota Vikings’ defense didn’t stick to the status quo and delivered yet another viral on-the-field…
Share Covid data, World Health Organization tells China
The World Health Organization has urged China to share data on the origins of the Covid pandemic, five years on from its start in the city of Wuhan. “This is a moral and scientific imperative,” the WHO said in a statement to mark what it called the “milestone” anniversary. “Without transparency, sharing, and co-operation among…
Sydney shooting: alleged getaway driver charged after man shot dead in Canley Heights and car found burning
Police allege 31-year-old victim was shot in his car outside family home in western Sydney in ‘targeted attack’ Police have charged an alleged getaway driver after the shooting death of a man outside a family home in western Sydney in what they have labelled a “targeted attack”. Emergency services found a 31-year-old man in Canley…
Biden Announces $2.5 Billion in Security Aid to Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine War The Treasury Department also released an additional $3.4 billion in budget aid as the Biden administration rushes assistance to Kyiv in its final weeks in office. By Helene Cooper Reporting from Washington The United States is sending nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, as the Biden administration continues to rush military…
Renée Zellweger & Ant Anstead Enjoy Rare Day Out in Los Angeles
Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead were spotted taking their elderly dog for a walk and getting some grocery shopping done in Los Angeles on Dec. 28. See the couple’s casual day out. Renée Zellweger‘s diary is going to include quality time with Ant Anstead. After all, the two-time Oscar winner recently enjoyed a casual day…
Top chess player is back in competition after quitting over dress code
By Scott Neuman Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen is at the World Blitz Championship — a competition he has won seven times previously — after going head-to-head with organizers over his refusal to change out of jeans in apparent violation of a strict dress code. Carlsen, from Norway, is the world’s top chess player. He quit…
Russia and Ukraine Swap More Than 300 Prisoners Ahead of U.S. Transition
Russia-Ukraine War Exchanges have taken place before, but this deal, involving big numbers on both sides, comes as Trump prepares to take over in Washington, potentially endangering American aid to Kyiv. By Nataliya Vasilyeva Reporting from Istanbul Russia and Ukraine announced on Monday that they had exchanged more than 300 prisoners of war in a…
All the changes coming to Australia on 1 January, 2025: Centrelink increases, import bans and pay rises
Bigger Austudy and carer allowance payments, higher Medicare safety net thresholds and mandatory corporate reporting on climate also ahead With the new year comes new policies, laws, taxes and reforms. Here’s everything to know about changes on 1 January, 2025 that could affect you. Centrelink payments, including youth allowance, Austudy and carer allowance, will increase…
See Will Ferrell Reprise His Elf Role as Buddy at Hockey Game
Elf star Will Ferrell donned his Buddy the Elf costume once more at a hockey game in Los Angeles after Christmas. Oh, it’s not a costume. He’s an elf. Well, technically, he’s a human, but he was raised by elves. Over two decades after the release of the comedy Elf, Will Ferrell spread Christmas cheer…
Why was there a wall near runway at South Korea plane crash airport?
Aviation experts have raised questions about an “unusual” concrete wall near the runway and its role in the South Korea plane crash that killed 179 people. Footage shows the Jeju Air plane coming off the runway before colliding with the wall and bursting into flames at Muan International Airport. Authorities investigating the cause of South…
9 countries said goodbye to a devastating disease in 2024
By Gabrielle Emanuel What does it take to wipe out a human disease? That’s only happened once in the history of the world: smallpox, which had killed hundreds of millions, was officially eradicated in 1980. But it happens on a smaller scale every year. In 2024, nine countries eliminated a disease. “These are great accomplishments…
Syria’s Top Rebel Offers Hint of Timetable for Potetial Elections
Syria’s Civil War Ahmed al-Shara, who led the rebel offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad, offered little clarity on what the electoral process might look like. By Ismaeel Naar Syria’s de facto new leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections, offering the first potential timetable for a transition of power…
Australian bushfire smoke detected over Antarctica for first time since black summer
Particles recorded by scientists at the Chilean research station, the Profesor Julio Escudero Base, as recently as Sunday Smoke from bushfires in south-eastern Australia has been detected over Antarctica for the first time since the 2019-20 black summer fires. Scientists detected the smoke particles at the Profesor Julio Escudero Base, a Chilean research station on…
Gisele Bündchen Showcases Baby Bump During Outing With Joaquim Valente
Gisele Bündchen, who is expecting a baby with boyfriend Joaquim Valente, flaunted her growing baby bump on the beach in Costa Rica Dec. 24. Gisele Bündchen is enjoying a sun-kissed holiday. The pregnant supermodel made a splash on the beach in Costa Rica Dec. 24 alongside boyfriend Joaquim Valente as they await the birth of…
Gisèle Pelicot rape case: 17 men appeal against convictions
Dominique Pelicot, the 72-year-old man who drugged and raped his wife Gisèle and recruited dozens of men to rape her over a decade, will not appeal against his 20-year jail sentence, his lawyer Béatrice Zavarro said. However, 17 of the 49 men who were convicted of raping or sexually assaulting Ms Pelicot at Dominique’s behest…
Dominique Pelicot, Convicted in Mass Rape Trial in France, Will Not Appeal
France Rape Trial Seventeen of the other 50 men convicted in the case — most for participating in rapes of Gisèle Pelicot, then Mr. Pelicot’s wife — have filed appeals, according to a lawyer. By Ségolène Le Stradic and Richard Fausset Reporting from Paris Dominique Pelicot, the 72-year-old who admitted to drugging his wife for…
Russia and Ukraine exchange hundreds of prisoners of war
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Russian defence ministry said it had swapped 150 Ukrainian soldiers held captive for an equal number of Russian troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy said 189 Ukrainians had returned home. He added that those released…
Emma Heming Shares Moving Message on Anniversary With Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming Willis shared a candid message about the moments of anger and sadness she feels as they celebrate anniversaries amid his frontotemporal dementia battle. Amid the joy of reaching major milestones with husband Bruce Willis, Emma Heming Willis feels bursts of grief. While marking her 17th anniversary with the Die Hard…
New Taiwanese boardgame offers chance to battle Chinese invasion
Mizo Games wants players to have a chance to ‘experience war on the tabletop before it reaches us’ As families in Taiwan prepare to gather for lunar new year celebrations in January, a game that will be released that month promises to offer some war-themed fun over the festive period. The board game 2045, developed…
Four years after the Capitol riot, why QAnon hasn’t gone away
By Jude Joffe-Block After a mob of pro-Trump protesters breached the U.S. Capitol through a broken window on Jan. 6, 2021, a lone Capitol Police officer, Eugene Goodman, diverted the group away from the Senate chamber. The pack of protesters then chased Goodman up a staircase. The man leading the mob was wearing a black…
Anger as families wait for victims’ remains after South Korea plane crash
Hundreds of grieving people have been camping out at Muan International Airport in South Korea, furious that they have not yet seen the bodies of their loved ones who died after a Jeju Air plane crash-landed on Sunday. Acting President Choi Sang-mok has asked investigators to promptly disclose their findings to bereaved families. He has…
Lindsay Lohan Mourns Death of Parent Trap Writer Charles Shyer
After Parent Trap director Nancy Meyers shared her ex Charles Shyer had died, Lindsay Lohan celebrated the late filmmaker—who also helmed the Father of the Bride films—with a fond reflection. Lindsay Lohan is paying tribute. After Parent Trap director Nancy Meyers reacted to the death of her ex-husband Charles Shyer, with whom she co-wrote the beloved 1998 comedy that…
Trinidad and Tobago declares state of emergency after weekend of violence
A spate of six murders has taken the Caribbean nation’s total to 623 in 2024, of which nearly half were gang related and almost all linked to organised crime, say police The government of Trinidad and Tobago has declared a state of emergency after a weekend of violence in the Caribbean dual-island nation took the…
South Korean Plane Crash Questions Center on Four Fateful Minutes
South Korea Plane Crash The time between when the pilot reported a bird strike and when it crashed could be key to unraveling one of the world’s worst aviation disasters in years. By Choe Sang-Hun Already 30 minutes behind schedule, the pilot flying the Jeju Air jet with 181 people on board was preparing to…
Briton, 18, hands himself in to Dubai jail over sex with girl, 17
An 18-year-old Briton convicted of having sex with an underage 17-year-old British girl in Dubai has handed himself in to authorities there to begin a one-year jail sentence, a charity says. Marcus Fakana, of Tottenham, north London, began a secretive romance in September with another Londoner, who is now 18, while both were on holiday…
Lululemon New Year Scores: $19 Belt Bags, $49 Align Leggings and More
Kick off 2025 with $49 leggings, $19 belt bags, and unbeatable prices on hoodies, shorts, and tanks at the lululemon New Year Scores event. Don’t miss this chance to refresh your activewear lineup. Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Learn…
5 Babies Die From the Cold in Gaza as Temperatures Drop
Middle East Crisis A boy less than three weeks old was among the latest to succumb to winter weather, Gazan officials said. Families displaced by Israel’s attacks have little more than tents and tarps to protect them. By Aryn Baker At least five babies have died from the cold in Gaza in the past week,…
South Korea orders emergency safety inspection of airline operations after Jeju Air crash
Authorities announce investigation as shocked citizens began second day of official mourning South Korea has launched an emergency safety inspection of the country’s entire airline operations, and a separate check of all Boeing 737-800s, after 179 people died in a Jeju Air crash involving the aircraft on Sunday. As shocked citizens began a second day…
Why Sister Wives’ Robyn Brown Would Consider Another Plural Marriage
Given the chance, Sister Wives star Robyn Brown would say “I do” to another plural marriage with husband Kody Brown. She explained what would make her say yes on the TLC series’ Dec. 29 episode. Yes, Sister Wives‘ Robyn Brown still feels love should be multiplied, not divided. The reality star has been a somewhat…
Replacement ‘green’ ferry emits more CO2 than old diesel ship
The carbon footprint of a long-delayed new “green” ferry will be far larger than the 31-year-old diesel ship that usually serves the route between the Scottish mainland and the island of Arran. An emissions analysis by CalMac has calculated MV Glen Sannox will emit 10,391 equivalent tonnes of CO2 a year compared with 7,732 for…
A look at Jimmy Carter’s legacy. And, rules for regifting unwanted presents
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. Jimmy Carter’s life will be remembered with more than a week of events. The 39th president of the United States died in his hometown of Plains, Ga., yesterday at…
Millions of Australians miss out on saving hundreds of dollars by not switching energy deals, ACCC says
Electricity prices fall an average of 4% over 12 months – but almost half of customers miss out by sticking with their old plan Millions of households could save more than $300 on their yearly energy bills on average just by swapping to better deals on the market, the consumer watchdog has found. Falling electricity…
Hydropower Was Ecuador’s Answer to Climate Change. Until the Drought Hit.
An extraordinary drought has drained Ecuador’s rivers and reservoirs, leading to power outages of up to 14 hours. Some fear this is the beginning of a larger global crisis. An extraordinary drought has drained Ecuador’s rivers and reservoirs, leading to power outages of up to 14 hours. Some fear this is the beginning of a…
Outrage Fatigue Is Real. Here’s Why We Feel It and How to Cope
Outrage Fatigue Is Real. These Tips May Help Repeated exposure to outrage-inducing news or events can lead to emotional exhaustion. An expert who studies online outrage says there are ways to cope By Tanya Lewis edited by Dean Visser You’re probably feeling it: the onslaught of depressing news and commentary about political actions, wars, climate disasters…
The 36 Best Celebrity Beauty Hacks I Learned in 2024
Look back on 2024 with the top beauty tips from Oprah Winfrey, Kyle Richards, Paige DeSorbo, Madison LeCroy, Ariana Madix, Melissa Gorga, Leah Kateb, Suni Lee, Eva Mendes, Kathy Hilton, and more. Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Some…
Five charged in connection with Liam Payne’s death, reports say
Five people have been charged in connection with the death of One Direction singer Liam Payne in Argentina, local media report. The 31-year-old star died on 16 October after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires. Hotel manager Gilda Martin and hotel employee Esteban Grassi as well as Roger Nores, who…
Authorities in South Korea seek arrest warrant for impeached president Yoon
Authorities plan to question Yoon on allegations of abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion after his short-lived declaration of martial law South Korean law enforcement officials have requested a court warrant to arrest impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, as they investigate whether his short-lived martial law decree amounted to rebellion. The Corruption Investigation Office…
For South Korean Families, a Grim Wait for Bodies After Plane Crash
South Korea Plane Crash Officials said it could take up to 10 days to prepare the dead for transport, with the uncertainty adding to the shock and grief of relatives packed into an airport hall. By John Yoon Reporting from Muan, South Korea South Korean officials on Monday began the slow, painstaking process of piecing…
Jimmy Carter’s challenges mirror those faced by Biden
Forty-four years elapsed between the time Jimmy Carter left the presidency and the day he died. Four decades seems like a long time – a record for a former US president – yet many of the challenges facing America in 2024 are not that different from the ones Carter faced, and at times succumbed to,…
Celebrity Lookalikes You Need to See to Believe
Neither McKenna Grace and Kiernan Shipka or Katy Perry and Zooey Deschanel are likely to be sharing a table this holiday season, but they and other Hollywood pairs could definitely pass for siblings. Who you gonna call? Well, if you on the hunt for someone to play a famous actress’ younger self, apparently the answer…
Where Is Russia Finding New Soldiers? Wherever It Can.
Russia-Ukraine War From murder suspects to immigrants to a former Olympic gold medalist, Russia pressures those it thinks should fight in Ukraine. By Neil MacFarquhar and Milana Mazaeva Russia has ground through repeated waves of soldiers in Ukraine. It lost some of its most experienced troops at the very start of the invasion, then shipped…
Demonstrators arrested outside Netanyahu’s Jerusalem home – as it happened
Demonstrators arrested outside Netanyahu’s Jerusalem home. Five Israeli demonstrators protesting for the release of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 have been arrested outside the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Gaza Health Minstry reported that Israel detained hospital a director in northern Gaza on Saturday. However, the director of Adwan Hospital,…
Takeaways From a Times Correspondent’s Return to Afghanistan
Here’s what he found. By Azam Ahmed Azam Ahmed, a Times correspondent and former bureau chief in Afghanistan, made repeated trips to areas in the country that had once been off-limits to foreigners. The Talib looked as ragged as his outpost, a trailer banked on a snowy mountain pass. Holes were bored into its sides…
Myanmar’s Long-Suffering Rohingya Face More Abuse From New Persecutors
Brutally persecuted for years by the military in Myanmar, the Rohingya ethnic minority has now become the target of one of the junta’s most formidable rivals in the country’s civil war. Brutally persecuted for years by the military in Myanmar, the Rohingya ethnic minority has now become the target of one of the junta’s most…
WHO ‘appalled’ by Israel attack on northern Gaza’s last functioning major hospital
Kamal Adwan in Beit Lahia was partially destroyed and critical patients are at grave risk, the UN body says The World Health Organization says it is “appalled” by an Israeli raid which it said had shut down and partly destroyed the last major hospital still functioning in northern Gaza. Israel’s “systematic dismantling of the health…
Has Russia’s Shadow Fleet Added Sabotage to Its List?
News Analysis Russia has assembled a fleet of hundreds of vessels to covertly ship its oil. With so many ships at sea, the idea of using some to cause havoc may be proving irresistible to the Kremlin. By Michael Schwirtz Western officials have long been concerned about Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet, an assemblage of aged…
Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Worsens Amid Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire Push: What to Know
Middle East Crisis Human rights organizations and residents describe the situation in the enclave as getting more desperate. Here is a closer look. By Aryn Baker and Abu Bakr Bashir For the past several weeks, Fadia Nasser, a widow sheltering in Deir al Balah in central Gaza, says she has subsisted on nothing but a…
Alleged WA cocaine importing ring used small plane, remote airstrip and night-vision goggles
Two men from Victoria and South Africa are charged with trafficking the drug into Australia Two men are accused of trafficking 200kg of cocaine into Australia in a clandestine plot involving a small aircraft, a remote airstrip and night-vision goggles. Australian federal police arrested a Victorian man, 48, and a South African national, 44, in…
Georgia’s pro-west president says she remains ‘only legitimate president’ as new leader sworn in
Salome Zourabichvili tells protesters she will leave presidential palace as far-right successor Mikheil Kavelashvili takes power Georgia’s pro-western president, Salome Zourabichvili, has said she will leave the palace but remain the country’s legitimate officeholder, after refusing to hand over the keys to her successor in the wake of a controversial general election. Zourabichvili spoke as…
The Public Distrusts Scientists’ Morals, Not Their Science
Opinion The Public Distrusts Scientists’ Morals, Not Their Science Reaction to a recent Pew survey on the public’s trust in science shows that the scientific community is not ready to address the real problem By John H. Evans edited by Daniel Vergano Our overlapping Trump and COVID eras have seen a fairly sharp downturn in…
Inside a Syrian ‘reconciliation centre’ where Assad’s soldiers give up their weapons
On the night of 6 December, Mohammed el-Nadaf, a soldier in the Syrian army, was at his position in Homs. As rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) pushed into the city, days after they had seized control of Aleppo and Hama in a lightning offensive, Mohammed decided he didn’t want to fight. “We had…
Plane That Crashed in South Korea Was a Boeing 737-800, a Precursor to the 737 Max
South Korea Plane Crash Nearly 200 airlines use the 737-800, which makes up about 15 percent of the world’s fleet of aircraft. By Niraj Chokshi and River Akira Davis The Jeju Air plane that crashed in southwestern South Korea was a Boeing 737-800, a model that is used widely around the world. There are about…
Monday Briefing: A Plane Crash in South Korea killed 179
Plus, Falun Gong’s money engine. By Gaya Gupta A Boeing 737-800 plane operated by Jeju Air crashed while landing at an airport in South Korea yesterday, killing 179 of the 181 people on board. It was the worst aviation disaster involving a South Korean airline in almost three decades, officials said. The flight, which had…
Defending champion Luke Humphries knocked out of World Darts Championship
Luke Humphries was number one seed but the bookmakers’ second favourite for the tournament behind teenager Luke Littler Defending champion Luke Humphries is out of the PDC World Darts Championship in the fourth round after an astonishing performance from former winner Peter Wright. Humphries was far from his fluent best and was eventually beaten 4-1…
How to Manage Holiday Grief in Yourself and Others
How to Manage Holiday Grief in Yourself and Others The holidays can be a difficult time for people who are grieving. Here’s how to get through it or support a loved one By J. Kim Penberthy & The Conversation US The holidays can be an especially difficult time for those grieving a loss. The following…
Please Don’t Take Moral Advice from ChatGPT
Opinion Please Don’t Take Moral Advice from ChatGPT Before turning to a large language model for ethical counsel, consider what makes for good advice By Ana Gantman edited by Daisy Yuhas Should I tell my friend their boyfriend is cheating on them? Should I intervene when I hear an off-color joke? When faced with moral…
Lost city found by accident and a fly’s brain mapped: 2024’s scientific wins
A total solar eclipse seen by millions, a lost jungle city discovered by accident and hope for the almost extinct northern white rhino – science has given us a lot to get excited about this year. One of the biggest news stories was about making space travel cheaper and easier, with Elon Musk’s Starship making…
Tres ahogamientos durante el fin de semana se suman al creciente número de víctimas en Australia mientras los socorristas piden precaución
Drowning deaths in 2024 were overwhelmingly male, accounting for 22 of the 29 lives lost Another three people have drowned in Australian waters as the summer death toll continues to climb during the festive period. Police said on Sunday that two tourists were unable to be revived after a group of swimmers were pulled from…
Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President, Is Dead at 100
Jimmy Carter (1924-2024) Rising from Georgia farmland to the White House, he oversaw the historic Camp David peace accords, but his one-term presidency was waylaid by troubles at home and abroad. transcript “Mr. President, 50 years from now, 100 years from now, what do you want your legacy to be?” When Jimmy Carter was sworn…
Report issues ‘sobering reality check’ for world’s oceans
As global leaders head to the U.N. Biodiversity Conference next week, a new report issued a stark warning: The world is falling short of its pledge to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030. Despite ambitious goals set two years ago at the last biodiversity conference, only 8.3 percent of marine areas are currently…
Climate change charts a dangerous course for the world’s largest fish
A Conservation International scientist shares what can be done to prevent an ‘outright alarming’ future for whale sharks. Warmer oceans are putting two giants of the sea on a collision course. Even at the size of a school bus, whale sharks — the world’s largest fish — are no match for cargo ships in busy shipping…
New study reveals seaweed’s hidden climate benefits
Humble seaweed is having a moment. It’s been heralded as a sustainable superfood, a biodegradable replacement for plastic packaging and a feed supplement to cut cows’ methane emissions. Now, new research shows that seaweed forests — such as massive underwater towers of kelp — may play a bigger role in fighting climate change than previously…
Amid Israel-Hezbollah Crossfire, Fish Farmers Stay Put
Middle East Crisis Israel dispatch The war with Hezbollah has cleared out the north of the country — save for a hardy few and their thousands of prized fish. By Jack Nicas Jack Nicas traveled to the Israel-Lebanon border to speak with caviar producers. He also joined them in taking shelter from Hezbollah fire. Shrapnel…
As Putin reaches 25 years in power, has he ‘taken care of Russia’?
I will never forget New Year’s Eve 1999. I was working as a producer in the BBC’s Moscow bureau. Suddenly there was breaking news: Russia’s President Boris Yeltsin had stepped down. His decision to resign took everyone by surprise, including the British press corps in Moscow. When the news broke there was no correspondent in…
South Korea in mourning after plane crash kills all but two onboard
Flight data and cockpit voice recorders recovered from wreckage of Jeju Air flight 2216 at Muan airport Distraught family members gathered at Muan international airport in South Korea on Sunday after a plane carrying 181 people from Bangkok crashed, killing all but two people onboard, in the country’s worst domestic civil aviation disaster. Officials said…
Church in Kenya for L.G.B.T.Q. Africans Thrives Despite Attacks
The congregation in Nairobi, Kenya, has been forced to move to 10 different locations over 10 years, and yet it has survived as a sanctuary in an increasingly hostile environment. Pastor Caroline Omolo.Kang-Chun Cheng for The New York Times By Sarah Hurtes Reporting from Nairobi For nearly a decade, Kenya’s only church led and attended…
US sends investigators to help establish cause of South Korea plane crash
Team from NTSB, FAA and manufacturer Boeing to assist investigation of Jeju Air crash that killed 179 The US is sending air accident investigators to South Korea to help determine what went wrong with the Jeju Air plane that crash-landed at Muan airport and skidded in a barrier early on Sunday, killing 179. The team…
Fog causes flight delays at Gatwick Airport for a third day
Fog is continuing to disrupt flights at Gatwick Airport with restrictions imposed to maintain safety. While the weather is improving, the UK’s main air traffic control (ATC) provider Nats said temporary air restrictions were in place for the rest of the day at affected London airports. Flights are still being delayed across some of the…
2 men were found dead from exposure after looking for Sasquatch
By Chandelis Duster Two men from Oregon who went missing after going on a search for Sasquatch have been found dead, Washington state officials announced Saturday. The men, both from Portland, were reported missing by a family member on Christmas Day and were set to return from searching for the legendary creature in eastern Skamania…
Inside a Sinaloa Cartel Fentanyl Lab in Mexico
Mexico Dispatch New York Times reporters witnessed the dangerous fentanyl production process inside a secret lab in Culiacán run by Mexico’s most powerful criminal syndicate. Mexico Dispatch New York Times reporters witnessed the dangerous fentanyl production process inside a secret lab in Culiacán run by Mexico’s most powerful criminal syndicate. A Sinaloa cartel cook working…
Two reporters and a police officer killed in shooting at Haiti hospital reopening
Gunmen target press conference at Haiti’s largest public hospital after street gangs forced its closure earlier this year Two reporters and a police officer were killed and others injured on Tuesday when armed men opened fire on a group of journalists who gathered for a government press conference scheduled to announce the reopening of Haiti’s…
Latin America’s rise in tuberculosis linked to imprisonment rates
Study warns region’s exponential rise in incarceration is fuelling the disease, with cases increasing by 19% between 2015 and 2022 High incarceration rates in Latin America – the region with the world’s fastest-growing prison population – are exacerbating tuberculosis in a region that is bucking the global trend for falling incidents of the disease, experts…
Teen Mom’s Kailyn Lowry Undergoes Breast Reduction Surgery
Teen Mom 2 star Kailyn Lowry shared she underwent breast reduction surgery, more than a year after welcoming her twins, her sixth and seventh child. For Kailyn Lowry, the holidays marked the most wonderful time for a body transformation. The Teen Mom 2 star has announced that she has undergone breast reduction surgery. In an Instagram…
78 Books Scientific American Recommends in 2024
Opinion 78 Books Scientific American Recommends in 2024 A collection of nonfiction and fiction books Scientific American editorial staff and contributors read and recommend in 2024 By Brianne Kane edited by Daniel Vergano Every story is a science story, even the ones that sound more like science fiction. This year Scientific American introduced readers to…
New elections could take up to four years, Syria rebel leader says
Holding new elections in Syria could take up to four years, rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has said in a broadcast interview. This is the first time he has given a timeline for possible elections in Syria since his group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a rebel offensive that ousted former President Bashar al-Assad. In the…
Georgia Inaugurates Mikheil Kavelashvili as President Amid Anti-Western Drift
Even though a figurehead, Mikheil Kavelashvili occupies a symbolic role as the country moves further from the West and toward Russia and China. By Ivan Nechepurenko Reporting from Tbilisi, Georgia A former soccer star and conservative critic of the West was sworn in on Sunday as the new president of Georgia, a strategically important republic…
Will the World’s First Nuclear Fusion Power Plant Be Built in Virginia? Here’s Why We’re Skeptical
Will the World’s First Nuclear Fusion Power Plant Be Built in Virginia? Here’s Why We’re Skeptical A fusion power plant will go live in the next decade and produce 400 megawatts of electricity, Commonwealth Fusion Systems says By Ben Guarino edited by Dean Visser Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ new fusion power plant is expected to come…
Trump tells 37 people on death row with commuted sentences to ‘go to hell’
On Truth Social, president-elect also lashes out at Chinese troops in Panama Canal and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Donald Trump has told 37 people on death row who had their sentences commuted by Joe Biden to “go to hell” in a lacerating Christmas Day social media post. The president-elect – long a vocal advocate of…
Israel Struggles to Halt Attacks From Houthis in Yemen, Once Off Radar
Middle East Crisis news analysis Even as battles with its enemies on its borders appear to be winding down, Israel is being challenged by intensifying attacks by the Houthi militia in Yemen, 1,000 miles away. By Isabel Kershner Reporting from Jerusalem For years, the Houthis were the enemy most Israelis didn’t know they had. Now…