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Lead: A recent paper in the journal Nature has reignited intense debate over whether the iconic 3.2-million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis specimen known as “Lucy” really stands as the direct ancestor of Homo. The new study links previously enigmatic fossil material — including the 3.4-million-year-old “Burtele foot” — to Australopithecus deyiremeda, a species that lived alongside A. … Read more

Lead In late December 2025, Turning Point USA’s four-day AmericaFest in Phoenix gathered Republican officials, conservative media figures and activists — the first major TPUSA summit since founder Charlie Kirk was killed in September. The sessions focused on Israel, free speech, accusations of bigotry and who counts as ‘conservative’ in the post-2024 Republican alignment. Onstage … Read more

Lead: On December 22, 2025, the federal government announced an immediate pause on leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects being built along the U.S. East Coast, citing national security concerns flagged by the Department of Defense. The Interior Department said the pause will allow it to work with the Pentagon and other agencies to … Read more

Lead: Barry Manilow, the 82-year-old singer best known for hits from Copacabana to Mandy, has announced he was diagnosed with an early-stage lung cancer and will undergo surgery to remove a portion of his left lung. He revealed the finding followed an MRI after a prolonged bout of bronchitis and has postponed upcoming performances. Doctors … Read more

Lead: On December 22, 2025, U.S. and international health experts warned that this winter’s influenza season is intensifying, driven by a rapidly spreading H3N2 variant and lower vaccination uptake. Early signals from the U.K. and Japan show increased cases and hospitalizations, and U.S. health authorities report widespread activity. Public-health specialists say the circulating H3N2 lineage … Read more

Lead: On Saturday a multi-hour power outage in San Francisco knocked out traffic signals across parts of the city and caused dozens of Waymo autonomous vehicles to stop at darkened intersections. The stoppages produced localized gridlock but no reported accidents or injuries, and tow truck operators removed some vehicles overnight. Following intervention from the mayor’s … Read more

Lead — Alphabet has agreed to acquire Intersect Power for $4.75 billion, the Financial Times reports. The transaction, disclosed by the FT, signals a major move by the tech group into owning clean-power generation as part of its longer-term energy strategy. The deal is expected to expand Alphabet’s control over renewable supply that underpins operations … Read more

Lead: Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on Monday said he will introduce a resolution instructing the Senate to pursue legal action against the Department of Justice for failing to release the full set of records tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The move follows the Justice Department’s partial publication of materials after Congress passed … Read more

Lead On Sunday, US President Donald Trump named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland, reigniting a diplomatic dispute with Denmark and prompting firm rebuttals from Greenlandic leaders. Landry said he accepted a “volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US,” language that Copenhagen called provocative. Greenland’s prime minister and … Read more

One person died in Redding, California, after torrential rain and flash flooding struck the city over the weekend, officials said. The fatality was confirmed by Redding Mayor Mike Littau in a Facebook update Sunday night as local police and fire crews conducted water rescues. City officials reported crews setting up an Emergency Operations Center and … Read more

Lead Barry Manilow announced on Monday via Instagram that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will postpone his January concerts to undergo surgery. The 82-year-old said an MRI, ordered after prolonged bouts of bronchitis, found a cancerous spot on his left lung. Doctors do not believe the disease has spread and Manilow is … Read more

Lead: The Trump administration has notified nearly 30 career diplomats that their ambassadorial and senior embassy assignments will end in January, a move announced in late-week internal notices that affects posts across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Western Hemisphere. Officials told reporters the affected chiefs of mission had been appointed during the Biden administration but … Read more

Lead: Neuroscience researcher Mia Soviero, affiliated with NYU Langone Health and Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute, says a short, structured morning routine can prime the brain for motivation and emotional balance. On the morning after adequate sleep she favors quick exposure to natural light, a brief cognitive task, and a short social check‑in to support healthy … Read more

Chris Rea, the singer-songwriter best known for ‘Driving Home for Christmas’, has died aged 74 after a short illness, his family announced on Monday. He passed away in hospital surrounded by his wife and two children. Rea’s career spanned decades, producing chart-topping albums and a seasonal classic that returned to public attention this year in … Read more

December 22, 2025 — The Trump administration on Monday ordered a pause on several high-profile offshore wind leases along the U.S. East Coast, including the 176-turbine Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project located about 27 miles off Virginia Beach. The Interior Department said the temporary halt responds to national security concerns raised by the Pentagon, … Read more