Astronomers are excited about the upcoming “planet parade” in January’s night sky, where six planets will be visible at once. However, this event isn’t rare or extraordinary. The planets’ alignment occurs because they orbit the sun along a line called the ecliptic, making them appear on a straight line from our vantage point on Earth. … Read more
A scandal involving Japanese former SMAP star Masahiro Nakai has prompted dozens of companies, including major sponsors Nissan and Toyota, to pull their advertisements from Fuji TV. The move comes after a report in December revealed a 90 million yen (US$578,000) settlement between Nakai and a woman alleging sexual assault at a 2023 dinner party. … Read more
The IRS has lowered the threshold for receiving a 1099-K tax form from $20,000 to $5,000 starting this year. This means more people will receive these forms, even if they’re not self-employed. According to Mark Steber, senior vice president and chief tax information officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, third-party platforms like PayPal, Venmo, and … Read more
A recent study published in Current Biology found that when one chimpanzee urinates, others in the group are more likely to follow suit, a phenomenon dubbed “contagious urination.” The research suggests this behavior could be rooted in social hierarchy, with lower-ranking individuals more likely to pee when others do. This unexpected finding has significant implications … Read more
A Ukrainian paratroop unit captured a North Korean soldier who attempted to take his own life before expressing interest in watching Korean romance movies, it was reported on Tuesday. The 95th assault brigade soldier described the scene where the soldier, already wounded in battle, suddenly ran and hit his head on a pillar while being … Read more
Ransomware attackers are using a tactic called “vishing” to target organizations, posing as tech support and tricking employees into allowing remote access to their systems. The attackers send large numbers of spam messages to the employee’s email inbox, followed by a call from “tech support” via Microsoft Teams, asking them to allow remote access to … Read more
Israel launched a major offensive in Jenin, a city in the northern occupied West Bank, days after a ceasefire in Gaza took hold. The attack killed at least seven Palestinians and wounded 35 others, according to Palestinian health ministry reports. The Israeli military began a “counterterrorism operation” in Jenin, known as the “Iron Wall,” which … Read more
China’s official news agency Xinhua has released a selection of its best press photos for 2024, showcasing the most impactful and memorable moments captured by Xinhua photographers throughout the year. The collection features a diverse range of images, from significant world events to inspiring human stories, highlighting the breadth and depth of Xinhua’s visual storytelling … Read more
SEC Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda has launched a crypto task force to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto assets. Commissioner Hester Peirce will lead the task force, which aims to provide clarity on who must register and create practical solutions for those seeking registration. The task force’s focus is to draw clear regulatory … Read more
OpenAI is reportedly preparing to release a new AI tool called Operator, which can autonomously handle tasks like writing code and booking travel. According to software engineer Tibor Blaho, who claims to have uncovered evidence of the tool, it will be available on macOS. Blaho discovered hidden options in OpenAI’s ChatGPT client that allow users … Read more