World’s first megawatt-level airborne 'windmill' feeds power to grid

The world's first megawatt-level airborne wind power system, developed by Beijing Linyi Yunchuan Energy Technology, successfully completed a test flight in Yibin, Sichuan Province, China. The S2000 system, also known as SAWES, ascended to an altitude of 6,560 feet and generated 385 kWh of electricity, feeding it into the local grid. The system uses a helium-filled aerostat and 12 turbines in a ducted design to harness high-altitude winds for power generation.

Trump Is Boasting About an Alleged Land Strike in Venezuela — Here’s Why He Is Still a Pedophile

This satirical article jokes about Trump's alleged land strike in Venezuela and his past as a pedophile and rapist, highlighting the absurdity of his claims and actions.

Indie Game Awards Disqualifies Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Due To Gen AI Usage

The Indie Game Awards disqualified Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from its wins due to the use of generative AI, despite initial confirmation of no gen AI usage. The decision was made after the awards ceremony, leading to the runner-up games receiving the awards.

Jake Paul Knocked Out By Anthony Joshua

His face right before the final blow is gold.

Trickle release of Epstein files on a Friday signals move to bury Trump ties

GOPedos

Atmospheric rivers – what to know about the storms inundating the Pacific north-west

Residents of the Pacific north-west brace for another strong weather system after an atmospheric river dropped more than a foot of rain on Washington state, causing mudslides and flooding. These atmospheric rivers, which transport water vapor from the tropics, are becoming more severe due to the climate crisis. The recent weather system brought over 5tn gallons of rain to Washington, causing cross-border problems in the US and Canada.

Michigan Democrat moves to impeach RFK Jr, alleging ‘abuse of authority’

Time to pack up the brainworms and methylene blue.

Live Updates: Supreme Court likely to back Trump’s power to fire independent agency board members

The Supreme Court appears poised to expand presidential authority over independent federal agencies, signaling support for President Donald Trump's firing of board members. The court's conservative majority has allowed Trump to remove members from agencies like the Federal Trade Commission, defying a 1935 precedent that limited presidential power. This development could have significant implications for the independence of federal agencies and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. Additionally, the court is deliberating on the broader issue of presidential control over independent agencies, with arguments suggesting a potential overturning of long-standing legal protections for agency board members.

China now dominates in every technology defining the modern world

China now dominates in every technology defining the modern world, leading in AI, advanced materials, defence, space, robotics, transportation, energy, and biotechnology. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute's 2025 Critical Technology Tracker reveals China's dominance, driven by a coordinated government approach and significant investment in innovation. China's engineering-focused strategy contrasts with the US's more regulatory-driven model, contributing to its technological lead. This shift in global technological leadership has significant implications for the West and Australia.

CDC panel recommends delaying birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine

Pete Hegseth is either ‘incompetent’ or ‘lying’ over Venezuela strike, Rand Paul says

Republican Senator Rand Paul has accused Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, of either being 'incompetent' or 'lying' after Hegseth denied ordering a second strike to 'kill everybody' during a Venezuelan boat attack. The U.S. has launched over a dozen attacks against alleged drug-carrying vessels, killing more than 80 people. Hegseth initially denied the claims but later admitted that a second strike occurred. President Trump backed Hegseth, but admitted he would not have wanted a second strike on survivors. The White House stated that the admiral, not Hegseth, ordered the second strike. A bipartisan group of senators has announced an investigation into the allegations. Members of Congress have questioned the legality of the boat strikes, alleging that the Trump administration's lethal campaign amounts to extrajudicial killings, with several lawmakers calling the alleged two-strike attack an apparent war crime.

The White House’s new media ‘bias’ tracker is a desperate gimmick | Margaret Sullivan

The White House's new media 'bias' tracker is criticized as a desperate gimmick by Margaret Sullivan, revealing Trump's increasing isolation and reliance on sycophants. The site targets media reporting on Trump's controversial call for the arrest of Democratic Congress members, using terms like 'left wing lunacy'. Despite Trump's low approval rating and weakening grip on the Republican party, he blames the press, aiming to discredit media criticism from those aligned with him. Critics argue that the tracker is a transparent attempt to deflect attention from Trump's own issues, rather than a genuine effort to address media bias.

Sundar Pichai says Google will start building data centers in space, powered by the sun, in 2027

Google, under CEO Sundar Pichai, has announced Project Suncatcher, a long-term initiative to build solar-powered data centers in space by 2027, aiming to harness the sun's energy more efficiently and address the environmental concerns associated with traditional data centers.

New tech pulls lithium from dead batteries cheaper than you can buy it

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a cost-effective method to extract lithium from spent batteries using a special electrode, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional mining and other lithium-harvesting techniques.

Amazon Data Center Linked to Cluster of Rare Cancers

A sprawling Amazon data center in eastern Oregon has been linked to a significant rise in rare cancers, muscle conditions, and miscarriages among local residents, due to contaminated water from agricultural runoff and data center wastewater. Despite Amazon's claim that their water usage has a minimal impact on water quality, residents and activists argue that the company's operations have exacerbated the pollution problem, drawing parallels to the Flint, Michigan water crisis.

Trump’s $2 Trillion Plan to Cash in on Ukraine ‘Peace’ Leaks

A Wall Street Journal report reveals that President Trump's peace talks with Russia focus on profit, with Trump envoys negotiating to secure U.S. business interests and Trump's friends in post-war Ukraine. The plan involves revitalizing Russia's economy through joint ventures, including the release of $300 billion in frozen Russian assets for U.S. investment. However, the plan has faced criticism from both Europe and the U.S., with concerns over its favorability towards Russia and the lack of clear benefits for Ukraine.

Lightning detected on Mars by Nasa rover, scientists believe

Nasa's Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in 2021, has detected electrical discharges in the Martian atmosphere, suggesting the possibility of lightning. Researchers analyzed 28 hours of recordings over two Martian years and found that these discharges, often associated with dust devils and dust storms, represent a significant discovery with implications for Martian atmospheric chemistry, climate, and habitability. While some scientists remain skeptical due to the lack of visual confirmation, the findings add Mars to the list of planets known to have atmospheric electrical activity, including Earth, Saturn, and Jupiter.

US small businesses sound alarm over Trump’s tariffs amid crucial holiday season

US small businesses are facing significant challenges due to Trump's tariffs, which have increased prices on holiday goods and driven many firms out of business. Despite strong holiday sales, many small business owners doubt that it will ease the impact of a tough year. Tariffs have hit small businesses especially hard, as they often have smaller margins and are less able to absorb costs. A survey found that 71% of small business owners expect tariffs to have a negative impact on consumer spending this holiday season, and 44% expect a very negative impact.

Trump’s golf trips have cost taxpayers $71m since January and could eventually top staggering $300m, report says

Golf diapers a very expensive.

Surging measles cases are 'fire alarm' warning that other diseases could be next

The World Health Organization has issued a warning that the rising number of measles cases worldwide is a significant indicator that other vaccine-preventable diseases could soon follow. Dr. Kate O'Brien, director of the WHO's Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, emphasized that measles often appears first when vaccination rates decline, acting as a 'fire alarm' for potential outbreaks of diseases like diphtheria, whooping cough, and polio. In 2024, there were an estimated 11 million measles infections globally, with 59 countries reporting large outbreaks in 2025, including the United States. The ongoing outbreaks threaten the measles elimination statuses of some countries, as the key factor for losing this status is the continuous spread of the virus for a full year. The United States is at risk of losing its elimination status if current cases can be traced back to a Texas outbreak that began in January.

Tomb Raider's Lara Croft Crowned Best-Selling Video Game Heroine By Guinness World Records

Lara Croft from Tomb Raider has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the best-selling video game heroine, with over 100 million copies sold since 1996, and has also achieved the most magazine covers for a video game character, appearing 2,300 times on covers such as Newsweek and TIME.

Italian man dresses as dead mother in Mrs Doubtfire ruse to claim her pension

An unemployed Italian man dressed as his deceased mother, complete with makeup and jewelry, to fraudulently claim her pension, leading to a macabre discovery of her mummified body hidden in his home. The 56-year-old man from Mantua pocketed thousands of euros before his ruse was exposed, prompting an investigation for illegal concealment of a body and fraud.

Brain has five ‘eras’, scientists say – with adult mode not starting until early 30s

A comprehensive study by Cambridge University identified five major 'epochs' of human brain development, marked by four pivotal 'turning points' at ages nine, 32, 66, and 83. The study, based on brain scans of nearly 4,000 individuals aged one to 90, revealed that brain development occurs in distinct phases, with significant shifts in neural wiring and efficiency. The childhood phase, from birth to age nine, is characterized by 'network consolidation' and a decrease in wiring efficiency. The adolescent phase, up to age 32, sees increased efficiency and refinement of brain connections. Adult mode, starting in the early 30s, is the longest phase, lasting over three decades. The 'early ageing' phase begins around age 66, followed by 'late ageing' at around 83. These findings could provide insights into mental health disorders and the effects of life events on brain development.