Could AI robots replace human astronauts?
BBC On Christmas Eve, an autonomous spacecraft flew past the Sun, closer than any human-made object before it. Swooping through the atmosphere, Nasa’s Parker Solar Probe was on a mission to discover more about the Sun, including how it affects space weather at Earth. This was a landmark moment for humanity – but one without […]
Passengers can now keep liquids in luggage
New technology means passengers at Cardiff Airport will now be able to leave electronics and liquids under 100ml in their hand luggage as they pass through security. The Next Generation Security scanners are now fully operational at the site, the airport confirmed, following cost-related delays which saw it fail to meet the UK government’s initial […]
Indian rocket blasts off for country’s first space-docking mission
An Indian-made rocket has blasted off from a site north of Chennai, carrying two satellites which will test space-docking. Docking is crucial for manned travel to the Moon or supporting a space station. Announcing “the successful accomplishment” of the launch, Indian Space Research Organisation chief Sreedhara Somanath said the rocket had “placed the satellites in […]
Vampire hedgehogs, pirate spiders and fishy fungi
Alexei V Abramov This creature’s large fangs earned it the name Hylomys macarong, or vampire hedgehog – a new species of soft-furred hedgehog identified in 2024 (Credit: Alexei V Abramov) Thousands of new species have been discovered by scientists this year – here are some of the weirdest. From the depths of the Pacific Ocean […]
Europe’s stunning high-tech luxury train
MOB (Credit: MOB) Tracing a medieval trade route through the Swiss Alps and valleys, the GoldenPass Express isn’t just one of the world’s most scenic train rides; it’s an engineering marvel. As I sink into the plush, cream-coloured leather recliner, a glass of Champagne in hand and hiking boots raised, I’m ready for a three-hour […]
The US president who became China’s friend
Getty Images Carter and Deng, seen hugging in 1987 in Beijing, had a close relationship On a bright January morning in 1979, then US president Jimmy Carter greeted a historic guest in Washington: Deng Xiaoping, the man who unlocked China’s economy. The first leader of Communist China to visit the United States, Deng had arrived […]
Hugo Duncan and Hannah Scott among those recognised
PA Media Hugo Duncan dedicated the MBE to his late mum, Susie Radio presenter and singer Hugo Duncan has been recognised in the New Year Honours list. Known to his listeners on BBC Radio Ulster as the “wee man from Strabane”, the County Tyrone presenter has been made an MBE (Member of the Order of […]
The scientists studying Antarctica as it melts
Getty Images (Credit: Getty Images) With Antarctica’s climate warming at an unprecedented rate, scientists are battling with dangerously thin ice and equipment falling through into the sea beneath. For 20 years, Simon Morley has been cutting holes in Antarctic sea ice and diving into the frigid waters below to study strange and colourful sea life […]
US Treasury says it was hacked by China in ‘major incident’
A Chinese state-sponsored hacker has broken into the US Treasury Department’s systems, accessing employee workstations and some unclassified documents, American officials said on Monday. The breach occurred in early December and was made public in a letter penned by the Treasury Department to lawmakers notifying them of the incident. The US agency characterised the breach […]
Ninth legion’s ‘lost battle’ found, claims Roman expert
Ermine Street Guard Rome invaded Britain in AD43, using four legions, and would stay for about 350 years An author believes he has discovered a previously unknown battle involving a famous lost Roman legion. Using clues from aerial photography and chance finds in fields, archaeologist and Roman expert Simon Elliott thinks he has identified a […]