Scientists have long debated Theia, the vanished planet thought to have formed the Moon.Astronomers in France, Germany, and the United States analysed lunar and Earth rocks to track Theia.New research suggests Theia formed much closer to the Sun than previous models predicted.For over 50 years, the giant impact theory has explained the Moon’s birth.Theia collided with the early Earth about 4.5 billion years ago, scattering debris.That debris coalesced into the Moon and mixed with material from both bodies.Theia disappeared completely, leaving no direct chemical evidence, which complicated studies of its origin.Astronomers now use rock analysis to reconstruct Theia’s properties and…
Author: Rachel Maddow
Trump met Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani Friday and praised him despite prior harsh insults.He previously called Mamdani a “100% Communist Lunatic” and a “total nut job.”Mamdani had described Trump’s administration as “authoritarian” but greeted him warmly.They emphasized shared goals to improve New York over past disagreements.Trump told reporters Mamdani might surprise conservative voters despite his democratic socialist stance.The meeting gave Mamdani, once relatively unknown, national exposure alongside the president.Trump used the session to discuss affordability issues amid rising political pressure.Supporters on both sides may question the sudden cordiality and mutual praise.Trump promised to support Mamdani in building a safer, stronger New…
The European Commission opens infringement proceedings against Italy for applying its golden power rule during UniCredit’s attempted Banco BPM takeover.Officials warn the rule allows Italy to block, assess, or condition banking-sector transactions broadly.The Commission says the measure risks unjustified interference and violates free establishment and capital movement within the EU.EU authorities note the rule overlaps with the European Central Bank’s powers under the Single Supervisory Mechanism.Italy has two months to respond and address the Commission’s objections. Italy Promises Regulatory Response Economy minister Giancarlo Giorgetti confirms Italy will answer the Commission through the proper channels.He pledges a cooperative approach and a…
A power outage hit parts of Paris and Hauts-de-Seine, leaving 55,000 homes without electricity Thursday morning.The blackout stopped traffic lights, streetlights, and temporarily halted metro and suburban train lines.Authorities scrambled to manage commuter disruptions and maintain public safety during the outage. Technical Failure at Substation Enedis reported that a technical incident at the RTE substation in Issy-les-Moulineaux caused the blackout.RTE oversees France’s high-voltage electricity transmission network and handles large-scale power distribution.The main outage lasted about five minutes, but a few thousand homes still lack electricity. Restoration and Apology Enedis dispatched crews immediately to restore power to affected households and transit…
Anti-capitalists, climate campaigners, women’s rights groups and anti-migrant organisations plan protests highlighting South Africa’s poverty and inequality.Police and army displayed force Wednesday using helicopters, K-9 units and motorcycle officers ahead of expected G20 summit protests in Johannesburg.Authorities deployed 3,500 additional police and put army units on standby under the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure to secure the event.Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili told reporters officials expect protests in Johannesburg and other major cities.She said authorities will respect the right to protest while enforcing legal limits.Police assigned specific areas near the summit venue, an exhibition centre beside the country’s largest soccer…
Massive Expansion at Dukovany and Temelín Czechia plans to produce up to 60 percent of its electricity from nuclear power by 2050. Engineers expand Dukovany with two new reactors while mobile rigs extract samples 140 meters underground to verify geological stability. The $19 billion project aims to double the country’s nuclear output and cement its position among Europe’s top nuclear users. South Korea’s KHNP won a tender over France’s EDF to construct the new plant. Each reactor will produce over 1,000 megawatts. Officials plan to operate them in the late 2030s, supplementing Dukovany’s four 512-MW reactors from the 1980s. The…
Thousands of young people flooded Mexico City on Saturday, protesting corruption, rising violence, and government inaction. The march spanned 52 cities in Mexico and extended internationally to the United States, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. Clashes at the Zócalo left 20 civilians and over 100 police officers injured, with roughly 20 arrests. The movement gained momentum after the murder of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo on 1 November. Manzo had repeatedly asked federal authorities to address organized crime in Michoacán. His death ignited public outrage and mobilized Generation Z, who view Mexico’s political system as corrupt, violent, and unresponsive. The demonstration…
Activists shared personal stories of climate impacts in their home countries and called for youth representation in UN negotiations. Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the COP30 climate conference in Belem, Brazil, blocking the venue in a peaceful but visible protest. Brazilian youth organizations, Indigenous groups, and international activists joined the march to demand urgent climate action during the UN talks. Fridays for Future members emphasized the importance of including young voices in decision-making. Rachelle Junsay of Climate Action Philippines said youth inherit a damaged planet and feel frustrated by decisions made without their input. She criticized negotiators who discuss global…
A bipartisan compromise in the Senate paved the way for the passage of a temporary government funding bill. Eight Senate Democrats joined Republicans to approve the measure, ending the longest U.S. government shutdown in history. The deal provides retroactive pay for furloughed federal employees and prevents additional layoffs through January 30. This agreement ensures that government workers receive compensation for the weeks they were out of work during the 43-day closure. Lawmakers emphasized the importance of returning government services to full operation. The temporary funding bill restores normal functions across federal agencies, from national parks and cultural institutions to security…
Russia launched a combined strike on Kyiv, killing four people and injuring 27, igniting fires and destroying buildings. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said rescue teams could not retrieve two bodies from rubble and continue investigating the victims. Emergency crews treated at least 27 injured people as strikes hit multiple city districts. Zelenskyy Condemns Targeting of Civilians President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the assault as a calculated attack on civilians and infrastructure, posting details on X. He reported Russia fired 430 drones and 18 missiles, including ballistic and aeroballistic types, during the attack. Nine hospitalized victims included a pregnant woman, and two children…