@whatever | Digg

Karyna Shuliak was Jeffrey Epstein's last partner and main heiress. She won't benefit from his will

This news article discusses Karyna Shuliak, the last partner of Jeffrey Epstein, who was set to inherit his $100 million estate and properties but will not benefit from his will as authorities have frozen the estate for a victims' compensation fund.

/offbeat

Your Mind Taps Into the ‘Flow of the Universe’—And It Shapes How You Interact With Reality, Scientists Claim

Scientists at the Polytechnic University in Turin are mapping how electromagnetic fields, water, and cell membranes may shape stable states linked to thought and self. They propose that our brain's interaction with these energy fields works like an antenna, allowing us to tap into the 'flow of the universe' and influence our consciousness and reality.

/news

Trump brings in new 10% tariff as Supreme Court rejects his global import taxes

The Supreme Court decision striking down Trump's global import tariffs has injected new uncertainty into global trade. The ruling, which held that the president had overstepped his powers, was a major victory for businesses and US states that had challenged the duties. However, Trump has imposed a new 10% global tariff under a never-used law, which will go into effect on 24 February. The anticipated refunds and relief from tariff costs may prove elusive, as the White House expects those countries to keep abiding by the concessions they had agreed to under the trade deals.

/news

Government considers removing Andrew from royal line of succession

The government is considering legislation to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession, following his arrest and ongoing police investigation. Despite being eighth in line to the throne, his removal would prevent him from ever becoming King. The proposal has support from some MPs, though others question its necessity.

/travel

The underground salt kingdom that became one of Europe’s strangest attractions

The Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has transformed from a medieval industrial powerhouse into a surreal underground world of chapels, sculptures, and salt-lined tunnels. Visitors can explore preserved chambers, grand chandeliers, and statues that trace the mine’s history. Despite the end of salt production in 1996, the mine remains open to the public, attracting up to 9,000 visitors daily. The mine’s structures are reinforced with modern engineering, and more than 10,000 tons of salt are produced annually.

/news

The underground salt kingdom that became one of Europe’s strangest attractions

/offbeat

World War 3 Sci-Fi Series Officially Cancelled 13 Years Later For Being "Too Frighteningly Possible"

Leslie Greif's ambitious World War 3 sci-fi series, developed with David Hayter, has been officially cancelled by FX and Fox 13 years after its announcement, due to its frighteningly realistic premise. Greif explained that the network found the series too incendiary and too frighteningly possible, despite its aim to spread hope and unity. The series, which was set to explore the aftermath of a global conflict, highlights the genre's tendency to predict future scenarios based on current events.

/entertainment

Timothée Chalamet's New 'Dune 3' Tease Sets the Sci-Fi Saga Up For a Massive Change

Timothée Chalamet has teased an early release of the trailer for 'Dune: Part 3', potentially setting a new marketing strategy for Warner Bros. and Legendary. Historically, the franchise has released its first trailer around three months before the film's release, but with 'Dune: Part Three' slated for December 18, 2026, an earlier trailer release could position it as a major cinematic event.

/epsteinfiles

Les Wexner says 'diabolical' Jeffrey Epstein 'duped' him, denies wrongdoing

Les Wexner, the retired founder of Victoria's Secret's former parent company L Brands, denies having a personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and claims he was duped by Epstein. Wexner insists he knew nothing of Epstein's criminal activities and has not been contacted by the FBI regarding Epstein-related matters. The House Oversight Committee's top-ranking Democrat, Rep. Robert Garcia, calls Wexner's claim of no personal relationship 'bogus' and criticizes the Department of Justice for not contacting Wexner. The deposition occurs weeks after the DOJ released additional files revealing new links between Epstein and major figures in business and politics.

/offbeat

What time is the annular solar eclipse on Feb. 17?

On Feb. 17, an annular solar eclipse will turn the sun into a 'ring of fire' visible in a small region of Antarctica. The eclipse will last up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds. Safe viewing requires solar filters at all times.

/offbeat

What is the dart frog toxin allegedly used to kill Alexei Navalny?

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed using a toxin found in South American dart frogs, according to the UK and European allies. Traces of epibatidine, a neurotoxin 200 times more potent than morphine, were found in Navalny's body, leading to his death in a Siberian penal colony. The Kremlin dismissed the claims as an information campaign. The toxin is extremely rare and only found in specific species of dart frogs in South America.

/bookcoverart

10d

“Dracula” by Bram Stoker • Cover Art by Andrew Holmes

/news

28d

Man shot during Minneapolis immigration crackdown has died, hospital record shows

A 51-year-old man shot by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has died, according to a hospital record obtained by The Associated Press. The details surrounding the shooting are not immediately clear, but a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that the person had a firearm. This incident occurred amid widespread protests in the Twin Cities since the January 7 shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

/science

Jan 20th

'Severe' geomagnetic storm could make northern lights visible in southern US

A strong geomagnetic storm from a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) could bring northern lights as far south as Alabama and northern California within the next 24 hours, according to space weather experts. The CME, a burst of solar material and magnetic field, is expected to reach Earth and cause auroras to extend further south. The visibility of the northern lights will depend on the CME's arrival, magnetic field orientation, and local cloud cover. The storm could also impact power systems, spacecraft operations, radio frequencies, and satellite navigation.

/digglist

Jan 16th

It’s /blackmagicfuckery

Join /blackmagicfuckery and be amazed!

/offbeat

Jan 9th

Welch’s 'Grape Juice Girl' Makes First Return to the Brand Since the ’90s Commercials — Here’s Where She is Now!

Emily Mae Young, the iconic Welch’s Grape Juice Girl from the ’90s, has returned to the brand after 25 years. Now a mother and content creator, she reunited with Welch’s for their largest-ever Sparkling Juice campaign. Young reminisced about her time with the brand and shared her joy at seeing it spotlight children again.

/technology

Jan 9th

The technology that finally gave robot lawn mowers their autonomy

This article discusses Mova's LiDAX Ultra Series, which uses LiDAR-based navigation to give robot lawn mowers true autonomy. Unlike traditional navigation methods, LiDAR allows the mower to understand its environment in real-time, providing a comprehensive view of the lawn and enabling it to adapt to changes. This technology simplifies setup, improves efficiency, and enhances safety by allowing the mower to recognize and avoid obstacles, including pets and small animals. The series offers two models, the LiDAX Ultra 1000 and LiDAX Ultra 2000, with the latter supporting larger lawns and offering additional features like a 4G module and free data plan. The LiDAX Ultra Series is set to launch on January 29, 2026, with promotional discounts available.

/technology

Jan 9th

Emily at CES Signals the Next Phase of Human-AI Relationships, and It's Intimate

Lovense debuted Emily, an AI-powered companion doll at CES 2026, featuring a realistic silicone exterior, a fully posable internal skeleton, and limited facial movement. Emily's key feature is its AI system that can hold conversations, remember past interactions, and adapt its personality over time. Priced between $4,000 and $8,000, Emily is positioned as a long-term relationship companion, offering judgment-free connection and safe, intimate expression. It connects to the Lovense app via Bluetooth, allowing users to interact with the AI even when they're not physically with the doll.

/offbeat

Jan 8th

Giving up sex helped a parasite infect many new hosts

A study led by Australian scientists reveals that a common diarrhea-causing parasite, Giardia duodenalis, can expand its reach across species by abandoning sexual reproduction. This asexual lineage can infect a broader range of animals, providing a short-term advantage in spreading among humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife. However, without sexual reproduction, harmful mutations accumulate, risking long-term collapse. This trade-off may explain how zoonotic parasites emerge and how drug resistance can take hold. Understanding the genetics behind host switching could help health systems anticipate zoonotic spillover and design smarter surveillance to stop them.

/news

Jan 8th

Google, AI firm settle lawsuit over teen’s suicide linked to chatbot

Alphabet’s Google and AI startup Character.AI have settled a lawsuit filed by a Florida mother who claimed that a Character.AI chatbot led to the suicide of her 14-year-old son. This case represents one of the first in the US targeting AI firms over alleged psychological harm.

/offbeat

Jan 8th

Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating

Gadoya, a ramen restaurant in Osaka, has sparked controversy by charging foreigners nearly double the price for ramen compared to Japanese customers. The owner claims the higher prices are for safety reasons, as they offer a 'special premium' ramen for non-Japanese speaking customers. However, the restaurant's actions and statements have raised questions about discrimination and two-tiered pricing.

/offbeat

Jan 8th

Synthetic artificial skin has been developed that can change color and texture at the same time

A team from Stanford University has developed synthetic artificial skin that can change color and texture simultaneously, mimicking the camouflage ability of octopuses. The technology, published in the journal Nature, consists of two polymer film layers that can control color and texture. This innovation could be applied in various fields, including robotics and displays, and may eventually lead to the creation of a 'smart skin' that adapts to its environment.

/technology

Jan 7th

Canon Partners With Vaonis to Make $99,000 Observatory-Grade Telescope

Canon partners with Vaonis to create the Hyperia, a $99,000 observatory-grade smart telescope. Designed for professional and educational institutions, it boasts Canon optics and a 45-megapixel sensor, offering exceptional image quality and ease of use. The Hyperia can stream real-time observations to various venues, enhancing the educational experience.

/news

Jan 7th

Historic Hollywood motel where rock icons stayed and movies were filmed goes up in flames

The historic Hollywood Center Motel, a 120-year-old Craftsman home that once housed rock icons and was featured in films, was destroyed by fire just weeks after the Cultural Heritage Commission voted to consider its historic preservation. The motel, which had survived numerous challenges over the years, was engulfed in flames, with transients illegally sheltering in the building rushing to escape. The loss is seen as a significant blow to Hollywood's preservation efforts, highlighting the urgent need to protect and restore historic properties.

/news

Jan 6th

Six people die as snow, ice and freezing temperatures wreak havoc in Europe

Six people have died in France and Bosnia due to snow, ice, and freezing temperatures that have disrupted travel across Europe. In France, three people died and 15 were injured in road accidents in the Landes region, while two more were killed in accidents in the Paris area. In Sarajevo, a woman died after a snow-covered tree branch fell on her head. The severe weather has caused the closure of six airports in the north and west of France, hundreds of flights were cancelled at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, and rail services in the Netherlands were suspended due to an IT outage.

/news

Jan 6th

Six stories of loss and resilience, a year after the LA fires

This news article explores the profound impact of the destructive LA fires a year ago, highlighting six survivors' stories of loss, resilience, and ongoing struggles. Despite the traumatic event, survivors are united by grief, determination, and a deep connection to their homes. Many remain displaced, facing financial hardships and emotional trauma. Some have started rebuilding, while others are still waiting for the right conditions and support to begin. The article emphasizes the community's slow but hopeful recovery.

/technology

Jan 6th

Nvidia announces humanoid robot plans, self-driving car technologies at CES 2026

Nvidia showcased its latest advancements in physical AI technologies at CES 2026, including humanoid robot developments and self-driving car models, aiming to revolutionize the manufacturing and logistics industries.

/science

Jan 6th

Hundreds of Earthquakes Are Rocking One of Earth's Most Dangerous Glaciers

Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier, known as the Doomsday Glacier, is experiencing hundreds of undocumented glacial earthquakes, raising concerns about its instability and potential sea-level rise. A study published in Geophysical Research Letters reports 362 glacial earthquakes from 2010 to 2023, with 245 occurring in Thwaites Glacier, likely due to capsizing icebergs. These low-frequency seismic events, first detected in 2003, were harder to spot in Antarctica but were found using local seismic stations. The earthquakes don’t correlate with seasonal temperature changes but seem linked to accelerated ice flow towards the sea. Further investigation is needed to understand their causes and impacts.

/science

Jan 3rd

NASA announces incredible discovery that may have settled the 'life on Mars' debate

NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered organic signals in mudstone on Mars that resemble microbial activity, reigniting the debate over life on the Red Planet. The study highlights minerals and textures often linked to microbial activity on Earth, though the authors caution that nonbiological chemistry could also explain the signals. The findings are a significant step towards understanding Mars' habitability and potential for life.

/offbeat

Jan 3rd

Uncles Tremble as Man Invents Vaccine Delivered by Beer

This article discusses a virologist's experiment of creating a polyomavirus vaccine that can be ingested through beer. The vaccine uses engineered yeast cells to carry the virus-like particles, which have shown to increase antibody levels in mice. The experiment has raised ethical concerns, but it also highlights the need for new vaccine administration methods.