The Kawah Ijen volcano on Java, Indonesia, is famous for its electric-blue "lava." But as you may have guessed, this is not actual lava. The striking glow is the result of a chemical reaction triggered by the high concentration of sulfur-rich gases trapped in the volcano....
Read news articleWorld-renowned fashion icon Valentino Garavani passed away in Rome, Italy, on January 19, 2026, at the age of 93 years. His designs shaped the style of modern couture for decades and became a symbol of Italian elegance....
Read news articleWhen Netflix released KPop Demon Hunters on June 20, 2025, few expected it to become a global phenomenon. But in just a few months, the film amassed over 236 million global views, making it the streaming platform’s most-watched movie of all time. KPop Demon Hunters also did well in a limited theater release, proving its appeal extended beyond streaming....
Read news articleA powerful winter storm has left a trail of destruction across North America — from the Mexican border through much of the United States (US) and into Eastern Canada. The massive system, nicknamed Fern, began its cross-continent trek on January 22, 2026 and lasted several days. It brought heavy snow, ice, and freezing rain to more than 220 million people....
Read news articleAmerican rock climber Alex Honnold made history on January 25, 2026, by completing the first rope-free climb of Taipei 101 in Taiwan. The 1,667-foot (508 m) skyscraper is located in downtown Taipei. It was the world’s tallest until it was surpassed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in 2010....
Read news articleFlying cars have long captured the imagination of engineers and dreamers alike. In 1894, American-British inventor Hiram Maxim brought the idea closer to reality with sketches for a four-wheeled, bird-like vehicle capable of flight. His vision later inspired an amusement park ride. But it was not what he had hoped for. Now, Maxim's dream is finally becoming a reality thanks to California-based startup Alef Aeronautics....
Read news articleResearchers in Canada confirmed a rare and remarkable event on January 1, 2026. A wild female polar bear had adopted an unrelated cub. The five-year-old mother was identified as bear X33991. She belongs to the Western Hudson Bay polar bear subpopulation in northern Manitoba. The scientists say this is only the 13th known adoption since they began tracking the group 45 years ago....
Read news articleOn December 20, 2025, Michaela "Michi" Benthaus became the first person in a wheelchair to travel to space. The 33-year-old German aerospace engineer launched from West Texas aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-37 spacecraft. Her flight marked an important step toward making space travel more accessible to people with physical disabilities....
Read news articleAs winter storms sweep across the United States, many Americans are feeling the season’s chill. These temperatures may seem frigid, but they are mild compared to those in Yakutsk, one of the coldest cities in the world....
Read news article