NASA’s exoplanet-hunting spacecraft TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) has a new method for detecting worlds beyond the solar system. The technique relies on a phenomenon introduced by Einstein in his 1915 theory of gravity, general relativity, called gravitational microlensing. The exoplanet in question is called Gaia23bra b. The first hints…
Bumblebee facial movements give clues to their inner lives
Bumblebees appear to like the taste of sugar Dawn Monrose/Alamy Bees seem to show when they are pleased and like something, rather than just needing it, in one of the strongest signs yet that insects have subjective experiences. In recent decades, it has become clear that bees are capable of…
Richard Marles refuses to reveal where China’s nuclear-capable missile landed in the Pacific as test launch is blasted as ‘destabilising’
By NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 00:09 BST, 7 July 2026 | Updated: 00:21 BST, 7 July 2026 Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has refused to reveal where a long-range missile armed with a dummy warhead landed in the Pacific after it was test-launched by China. Marles was pressed…
Pressure mounts on Nigel Farage amid ‘Posh George’ scandal as Reform UK leader is referred to Parliament’s standards commissioner
By CLAIRE ELLICOTT WHITEHALL EDITOR Published: 22:51 BST, 6 July 2026 | Updated: 23:51 BST, 6 July 2026 Pressure was growing on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on Monday night after he was referred to Parliament’s standards commissioner over donations from a convicted criminal. George Cottrell, 32 – otherwise known as…
Even astronauts in space saw America 250 fireworks on the Fourth of July. See their ISS view of Los Angeles (video)
The U.S. just celebrated its 250th birthday, and Americans living off the planet had a great view of some of the parties down below. “The International Space Station orbited over Los Angeles on July 4th as America marked 250 years of independence with a burst of fireworks lighting up the…
Graffiti artist launches furious protest against Australian government by shutting down bridge: ‘Lower the taxes’
By AAP Published: 23:05 BST, 6 July 2026 | Updated: 23:15 BST, 6 July 2026 Police are locked in a standoff with a man on top of a major inner-city bridge after a dangerous graffiti stunt. Traffic is building on Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge after emergency services were called at 3am…
Watch SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch 81 satellites early on July 7
SpaceX will launch a passel of satellites to orbit early Tuesday morning (July 7), and you can watch the action live. A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 81 payloads is scheduled to lift off from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base on Tuesday, during a 95-minute window that opens at 3:10 a.m.…
Too many sleepless nights may lead to weight gain
Less time sleeping may mean more time sitting down—and more weight gained, according to a new study. The research, published in Annals of Internal Medicine on Monday, found that getting just 90 minutes less sleep each night for six weeks led study participants to sit around more and gain weight.…
World War Two veteran celebrates her 105th birthday and says the key to a long life is lots of sleep
By TOM LAWRENCE, NEWS REPORTER Published: 22:30 BST, 6 July 2026 | Updated: 22:31 BST, 6 July 2026 A World War Two veteran has celebrated her 105th birthday, crediting her long life to a happy marriage and ‘lots of sleep’. Ivy Meenan served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) – the…
Labour’s defence plans branded a ‘pantomime’ as Keir Starmer heads to bruising Nato summit with Donald Trump
By JASON GROVES, POLITICAL EDITOR and MARK NICOL, DEFENCE EDITOR Published: 22:00 BST, 6 July 2026 | Updated: 22:00 BST, 6 July 2026 Labour’s defence plans were branded a ‘pantomime’ – as new figures revealed Russian jets are testing Nato’s defences an average once a day. Keir Starmer will head…