Archaeologists studied hundreds of unfinished stone heads in a quarry on Easter Island to better understand how they were constructed and the society that made them.

Easter Island quarry reveals how Polynesians made enigmatic stone statues

A telescope in Chile has captured a stunning new picture of a grand and graceful cosmic butterfly.  At the heart of this bipolar nebula is a white dwarf star that cast aside its outer layers of gas long ago.  Schoolchildren in Chile chose this astronomical target to celebrate 25 years of operation by the International Gemini Observatory.

Telescope in Chile captures stunning new picture of a cosmic butterfly

The mysteries of Easter Island, subjects of speculation for centuries, yield to scientific inquiry.

Drones, physics and rats: Studies show how the people of Rapa Nui made and moved the giant statues – and what caused the island’s deforestation

We have more neurons in our cortices than any other species, courtesy of an early technology – and along with them came our long, slow lives, with plenty of chances to gather around the dinner table.

Your big brain makes you human – count your neurons when you count your blessings

Tryptophan, found in food, is an important ingredient in the neurotransmitter serotonin. But is that enough to support it as a possible mood booster? The research is decidedly mixed.

Turning to turkey’s tryptophan to boost mood? Not so fast

Vizcarra, a leader in the Peru First party, was found guilty of leading a corruption scheme when he was a governor.

Peruvian ex-President Martin Vizcarra sentenced to 14 years in prison

The military takeover comes as the West African nation was awaiting the results of Sunday's election.

Soldiers seize power in Guinea-Bissau and detain the president

At least 36 people have died in a major fire in several residential blocks in Hong Kong, with a further 279 people still missing, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said in the early hours of Thursday morning. This significantly increases the number of victims following the devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in the Tai Po district of the city, which is a special administrative region of China.

At least 36 dead in major fire in Hong Kong residential blocks

A new directive would restrict IDF-issued devices to iPhones for lieutenant colonels, reducing the risk of intrusions for senior officers. The Israel Defense Forces will tighten rules on mobile devices for senior officers and prohibit Android phones on IDF-issued lines, Army Radio reported on Wednesday.

IDF bans Android phones for senior officers, iPhones now mandatory, Army Radio reports

Islamist influencers have recently had a particularly easy time getting their message across to young people in Germany, according to experts from the Association for the Prevention of Islamism and the Promotion of Democracy (KN:IX connect). KN:IX connect seeks to prevent young people from drifting into Islamist circles, and to help those who want to leave them.

Young Muslims in Germany feel left out of Mideast debate, experts say

Qatar and Ireland demanded that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) investigate Israel's use of chemical weapons in Gaza and the West Bank. Qatar claimed that Israel is using chemical weapons in Gaza operations during its participation in the 30th Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention on Wednesday.

Qatar, Ireland accuse Israel of using chemical weapons on Palestinians, demand watchdog probe use

As the US-backed multinational force stalls, IDF troops building the "Green Rafah" city project in eastern Rafah encountered terrorists emerging from a tunnel. Discussions on the establishment of the multinational force (ISF), slated to deploy to Gaza, are ongoing, two sources familiar with the details told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.

Discussion on deployment of foreign troops ongoing,  two sources tell 'Post'

A German family-owned business association prompted shock in the country's business community after dropping its ban on contacts with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The decision, announced on Tuesday, has been roundly criticized by trade organizations and institutes.

Anger as German family business group opens talks with far-right AfD

Turkish officials agreed to continue strengthening coordination and cooperation to eliminate all obstacles, ensure the ceasefire's continuity, and prevent further violations. Turkish spy chief Ibrahim Kalın on Thursday met with Qatar's prime minister and foreign affairs minister in Cairo to discuss transitioning to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal and increasing joint efforts in coordination with the US.

Turkey, Egypt, Qatar discuss second phase of Gaza ceasefire deal

Italy's parliament on Tuesday approved a law that introduces femicide into the country’s criminal law and punishes it with life in prison.  The law, backed by the conservative government of Premier Giorgia Meloni, comes in response to a series of killings and other violence targeting women in Italy.  High-profile cases, such as the 2023 murder of university student Giulia Cecchettin, have been key in widespread public outcry and debate about the causes of violence against women in Italy’s patria

Italy now recognizes the crime of femicide and punishes it with life in prison

Heavy rainfall in Israel and the Palestinian Territories has caused severe flooding in the largely destroyed Gaza Strip. Palestinian media reported on Tuesday that many people living in temporary tent camps along the coast were particularly affected by the harsh weather conditions.

Gaza Strip sees flooding after heavy rainfall

A crypto trading exchange operating inside a hotel in St. Petersburg, Russia, was the target of an attempted robbery, as per a local media report. The regional headquarters of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs press service said that a 21-year-old man detonated airsoft grenades and ...

Man triggers smoke bomb during failed crypto robbery

China's uncrewed Shenzhou 22 spacecraft arrived at the Tiangong space station early Tuesday morning (Nov. 25), giving the three astronauts living there a safe way to get home.

Watch China's Shenzhou 22 rescue ship arrive at Tiangong space station (video)

Nearly 300 Gazans needing medical care left Gaza via Israel and Jordan for treatment abroad after vetting and coordination with global partners. Hundreds of Gazans who require medical treatment exited the Gaza Strip via the Kerem Shalom Crossing on Monday, the Defense Ministry's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said.

Hundreds of Gazans evacuated from Strip for medical treatment - COGAT

Mali’s ruling junta and Canadian miner Barrick have reached an agreement resolving a tax dispute involving one of Africa’s largest gold mining complexes, authorities and the company said Monday.  The agreement ends a two-year standoff between Mali and the company over the country’s new mining code, which increases the state’s share of revenue from gold producers.  The dispute had previously led to the arrest of four Barrick Gold employees, who remain detained, and an arrest warrant for the compa

Mali and Canadian miner Barrick agree to resolve tax dispute, ending 2-year standoff

Seven people were arrested while slaughtering chickens in a backyard in southern Germany, police in the south-western state of Baden-Württemberg said on Monday. The members of an extended family who were present were said to be "not very enthusiastic about the arrival of the police" and "tumultuous scenes" ensued on Sunday afternoon, according to a police statement.

Police break up illegal chicken slaughter in Germany

IDF troops, operating with Shin Bet direction, arrested more than 60 wanted suspects across the West Bank last week, including 18 Hamas operatives Members of the IDF's Paratroopers Brigade killed a terrorist who threw rocks at soldiers in Ofra in the northern West Bank, the military confirmed on Sunday. The Paratroopers were dispatched to the area following a report about several terrorists throwing rocks at Israeli citizens.

Paratroopers kill terrorist who threw rocks at Israeli citizens, soldiers near Ofra in West Bank

A week before what the Indigenous Krenak people now call “the death of the river,” they say they could feel it coming.  The birds stopped singing, the air grew heavy, and an unusual silence settled over their village in Minas Gerais, a southeastern Brazilian state where forested hills give way to the winding Doce River.  A mining dam owned by Samarco — a joint venture between Brazilian company Vale and Anglo-Australian giant BHP Billiton — burst upstream near the town of Mariana, unleashing a to

A decade after Brazil’s deadly dam collapse, Indigenous peoples demand justice on the eve of COP30

Japan deployed troops Wednesday to help contain a surge of bear attacks that have terrorized residents in a mountainous region in the northern prefecture of Akita.  Reports of sometimes deadly encounters with brown bears and Asiatic black bears are being reported almost daily ahead of hibernation season as the bears forage for food.  Since April, more than 100 people have been injured and at least 12 killed in bear attacks across Japan, according to Environment Ministry statistics at the end of

Japan deploys the military to counter a surge in bear attacks

Three Chinese astronauts have been forced to extend their six-month stay in space over concerns their return ship may have been hit by debris, China’s space agency said.

Chinese astronauts’ return to Earth delayed over fears spaceship damaged by debris

When summer heat comes to the Arara neighborhood in northern Rio, it lingers, baking the red brick and concrete that make up many of the buildings long after the sun has gone down.  Luis Cassiano, who's lived here more than 30 years, says he's getting worried as heat waves become more frequent and fierce.  In poor areas such as Arara, those who can afford air conditioning — Cassiano is one — can't always count on it because of frequent power outages on an overloaded system.

As world leaders enter climate talks, people in poverty have the most at stake

Vietnam is rethinking how it copes with floods after a year of relentless storms collapsed hillsides and left vast parts of cities under water.  From mapping high-risk areas to reimagining “sponge cities” that can absorb and release water naturally, Vietnam is investing billions to adapt to what experts call a new era of climate extremes.  In smaller cities like Vinh in central Vietnam, these ideas are taking shape.

Vietnam rethinks its flood strategy as climate change drives storms and devastation

Gallant's decision to leave Amikam was made after a security risk assessment conducted by the Shin Bet. Former defense minister Yoav Gallant vacated his home in Moshav Amikam in northern Israel over a year ago, following a threat made against him shortly before the end of his term.

Former defense minister Gallant vacated home over security threat under Shin Bet direction

'Whoever says ‘no’ to Hamas is a hero. It’s those traitors that need to be dealt with,” Nasira said.

New Gaza militia declares war on Hamas: 'Your dirty shoes are more honorable'

Egypt, Qatar, and the US have been mediating between Hamas and Israel, securing the ceasefire that came into effect last month. A senior Hamas delegation met Egypt's intelligence chief in Cairo on Sunday to discuss the ceasefire agreement and the situation in Gaza, the group said, as both Israel and the Palestinian terror group continue to trade accusations of truce violations.

Hamas delegation meets Egypt’s spy chief amid mutual ceasefire violation claims

Israel had already eliminated most of Iran-backed Hezbollah's leadership during a war that raged between October 2023 and November 2024. The Israeli military on Sunday killed Hezbollah's top military official, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, in a strike on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital that came despite a year-long ceasefire.

Who was Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah's military leader killed by Israel?

Brazil’s ex-president, convicted of foiled coup, is under arrest after taking a soldering iron to the monitoring device.

Bolsonaro says hallucinatory effects of meds made him tamper with ankle tag

At least 18 Palestinians, including children, have been killed in renewed clashes and Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian media reported on Saturday, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire that took effect last month. Five people were killed in an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Gaza City, the WAFA news agency reported, saying the attack occurred in the city's Rimal neighbourhood.

At least 18 Palestinians killed in latest clashes in Gaza

Deal reached at UN climate talks in Brazil spurs mixed reactions as climate campaigners say more action is needed.

World leaders, rights groups react to COP30 climate deal

Israel on Saturday launched renewed attacks on the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, the military said. Launchers and military sites of Hezbollah were hit in the Beqaa area in the east of the country and in southern Lebanon, it said in a post on Telegram.

World