Science

Manipulonyx fossil points to spike‑covered hand for gripping eggs

Researchers described a small, dog-sized dinosaur called Manipulonyx reshetovi in December, based on a specimen unearthed in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert in 1979; they say its spike-covered forelimb appears adapted to grip and crack eggs. The animal, an alvarezsaurid from the Late Cretaceous about 67 million years ago, possessed a

Culture

Toby Froud on growing up in the Labyrinth legacy and working with his parents

Toby Froud, 41, who first appeared as baby Toby in Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, tells People he now works alongside his parents and is carrying forward the family’s artistic legacy. From the moment he was born, Froud was immersed in a world of imagination and craftsmanship: his father Brian,

Politics

Supreme Court to decide whether Louisiana coastal suits belong in federal court

The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Monday over whether more than 40 lawsuits brought by Louisiana officials against oil and gas companies should remain in state court or be moved to federal court. The companies, led by Chevron and Exxon Mobil, argue the cases fall under the

Business

After three strong years, U.S. stocks face momentum and mounting risks into 2026

The U.S. stock market delivered an "eye‑popping" performance in 2025 — the third consecutive year of double‑digit gains — boosting the wealth of broadly held stock portfolios, the New York Times columnist Jeff Sommer writes. Sommer cites concrete returns: an S&P 500 index fund such

World

Human remains found near Longwood as Victoria bushfires scorch large areas

Independent.co reports that police confirmed on Sunday human remains were discovered by a vehicle near the town of Longwood, roughly 110 km north of the state capital Melbourne, as bushfires continued to rage across Victoria's southeast. The blazes have consumed over 350,000 hectares of bushland since

World

Ukraine awards Dobra lithium field to consortium including Ronald Lauder

Ukraine’s government commission has awarded a bid to develop the Dobra lithium field in central Ukraine to a consortium that includes Ronald S. Lauder, a billionaire friend of President Trump, two commission members who spoke on condition of anonymity said. The winning group also includes TechMet, an energy firm

World

Trump renews push to acquire Greenland, cites security and resources

President Donald Trump has renewed efforts to acquire Greenland, proposing to buy the autonomous territory and repeatedly threatening annexation, Time reports. He told The Atlantic, "We do need Greenland, absolutely," and has framed control of the island as essential to U.S. national and "economic security."

Health

Woman who had abortion because of climate anxiety urged to seek counselling

A 37-year-old woman told columnist Annalisa Barbieri she had an abortion after being overcome by climate anxiety and is struggling to come to terms with her decision. She said she is happily married with two children, who arrived soon after she married in her late 20s, and that she developed

Culture

Eddie Izzard on performing Hamlet and a 90km double-marathon day

Eddie Izzard told The Guardian that rehearsing and performing a one-woman Hamlet felt surprisingly natural, and also recounted a gruelling double-marathon day in which they ran 90km in just under 12 hours. On stage, Izzard said they felt “at home” in Hamlet and deliberately approaches the play by addressing the

Crypto

South Korea to finalize 100%‑reserve stablecoin rules and permit spot crypto ETFs

Beincrypto reports South Korea will finalize stablecoin regulations in the first quarter of 2026 and the government plans to approve spot crypto ETFs this year as part of its "2026 Economic Growth Strategy." The Financial Services Commission will complete the so-called "Digital Asset Phase 2" legislation

Crypto

Bitcoin steadies near $91k as US spot ETF inflows reverse and altcoins reprice

Cryptocurrency markets saw a limited recovery this week as investor liquidity returned after the holidays, with Bitcoin topping a weekly high of $94,458 on Monday before declining to about $90,937 at the time of writing on Friday. US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds experienced a sharp reversal: after $1.

Culture

Ranking 10 K-dramas praised for having no filler episodes

Collider published a ranked list of ten K-dramas noted for having no filler episodes, placing Healer at number one. The list highlights a mix of recent and older titles that keep plots tight: Healer (2014–2015) tops the ranking; Stranger (2017–2020) is singled out for maintaining momentum across 32

Sports

Bruno Fernandes says Manchester United wanted him to leave

Bruno Fernandes has expressed a desire to leave Manchester United, according to Goal. He told Canal 11 in his native Portugal in an interview publicised in December that he felt the club were willing to let him go last summer and that the after-effects "hurt" him deeply. Fernandes

Business

Experts’ practical tips to keep New Year’s financial resolutions

Financial and behavior experts offered a range of suggestions to help people make and keep New Year’s financial resolutions, including paring the list of goals, making saving automatic and avoiding spending temptations such as marketing emails. Many Americans said they have a financial resolution for 2026, according to a

Culture

The Pitt Season 2 adds Dr. Baran Al‑Hashimi as a new main character

Movieweb reports that The Pitt Season 2 has introduced Dr. Baran Al‑Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi) as a new main character in the Season 2 premiere. In the episode "7:00 A.M.", Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) is back running the emergency room and Al‑

Crypto

VanEck projects one bitcoin could reach $2.9 million by 2050

Asset manager VanEck projects a single bitcoin could be worth $2.9 million by 2050. The firm’s base-case scenario assumes bitcoin gains traction as a settlement tool and a reserve asset over the next 25 years. That valuation is presented as VanEck’s base case and rests on the

World

Pope Leo XIV Decries a Global 'Zeal for War' in Annual Address to Diplomats

In an annual address to the Vatican’s diplomatic corps on Friday, Pope Leo XIV condemned “a diplomacy based on force” and a spreading “zeal for war,” urging nations to commit to working together and to follow international law. The pope did not name world leaders, but his remarks were

Culture

Mindy Kaling, Blake Lively and Selena Gomez Lead Burgundy Winter Trend

People reports that burgundy has become the season’s go-to color after Mindy Kaling, Blake Lively and Selena Gomez each embraced monochrome burgundy looks on recent TV appearances and outings. Kaling visited Good Morning America in head-to-toe burgundy — a textured cardigan, silk mini skirt, burgundy tights and patent leather oxford

Culture

Wardrobe upgrades to stay warm and stylish in cold weather

Dressing for winter is a balancing act: one moment you step outside to see your breath, the next you are packed into a sweltering, crowded train. A few simple wardrobe upgrades can help you move between those fluctuating temperatures while keeping warm and cosy. Mastering layering is central. An ultralight

Politics

More than one million households eligible for DWP cold weather payments amid Storm Goretti

Independent.co reports that over one million households across 802 postcode areas are now estimated to be eligible for a Department for Work and Pensions cold weather payment as Storm Goretti brings sub-zero conditions to parts of the UK for the period 30 December 2025 to 9 January 2026. The

Culture

Bob Mortimer's The Long Shoe: quirky, well-narrated cosy crime audiobook

Bob Mortimer’s third mystery novel, The Long Shoe, follows thirtysomething protagonist Matt Giles as his life unravels: he loses his job as a bathroom salesman, faces eviction with his girlfriend Harriet, finds a note saying she has left him, then receives a call offering a job that includes a

Culture

Three Adelaide Festival board members resign after author Randa Abdel‑Fattah removed

Three members of the Adelaide Festival board — journalist Daniela Ritorto, businesswoman Donny Walford and lawyer Nick Linke — resigned this weekend after the board cancelled Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel‑Fattah’s appearance at the 2026 Writers’ Week. The departures followed the withdrawal of more than 70 participants from next month’

Culture

Rosemead adapts true case of a mother who killed her schizophrenic son

Time reports that Rosemead, in theaters nationwide Jan. 9, is inspired by the true story of Lai Hang, a 49-year-old mother dying of cancer who fatally shot her schizophrenic son George, 17, while he was sleeping because she was afraid he was going to carry out a mass shooting. The

Tech

XBrew Lab debuts EverNitro countertop nitro machine at CES

XBrew Lab debuted its countertop nitro beverage machine, EverNitro, at CES this week, offering nitro coffee enthusiasts a way to make the drink at home without the waste and expense of traditional cartridge-based systems. Nitro coffee is cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen gas, a process that creates tiny bubbles

Business

US December nonfarm payrolls forecast +60,000 could reshape Fed rate-cut bets

Beincrypto reports economists expect US Nonfarm Payrolls to rise by 60,000 in December, after a 64,000 increase in November, ahead of the Bureau of Labor Statistics release on Friday at 13:30 GMT. The employment report is likely to bring heightened volatility to the US dollar as markets