Scientists Have Discovered a Cosmic Fountain in Intergalactic Space

Astronomers have discovered a galaxy near the Milky Way spewing out material equivalent to 50 million suns, providing insight into how intergalactic space is filled with elements for new stars. By studying NGC 4383 in high resolution, scientists found it's releasing an enormous gas jet rich in heavy elements at incredible speeds of up to 671,000 miles per hour. This galactic pollution event is crucial for cosmic evolution as the ejected elements will become the foundation of future stars and planets.

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Solar Park Powers 20,000 Homes and Sets Precedent for UK's Clean Energy Future

The UK’s largest solar park is quietly reshaping the country’s energy future — one panel at a time. Cleve Hill Solar Park, perched just outside Faversham in Kent, has been online for five months and is already proving its worth. With more than half a million solar panels raised nearly three meters off the ground, it is almost five times the size of the next largest solar site in the country. On sunny days this summer, it supplied up to 0.7% of Great Britain’s entire electricity demand. This isn’t just a milestone project — it’s a preview of what’s coming. The UK government wants to more than double its solar capacity by 2030, and parks like Cleve Hill will be central to that effort. Hitting those targets would require building around 80 solar farms the size of Cleve Hill in just five years. “We’re going to need big projects,” said Keith Gains, managing director of Quinbrook, the company behind the site. “They enable us to generate electricity at a cheaper rate than a series of smaller projects.” Even under grey November skies, the solar farm is still pulling its weight, producing enough energy to power about 20,000 homes. Gains says the project is delivering not just clean energy, but energy security — a key part of the UK’s push to decarbonize its power grid. The 373MW site was the first solar project in the UK to receive planning permission under the government’s Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects framework. Since then, 11 others have followed. Three more large-scale solar farms are planned in Kent’s Romney Marsh area, and just last month the government approved a 99.9MW project near Ashford. Cleve Hill wasn’t without controversy. When planning permission was granted in 2020, groups like Kent Wildlife Trust and the Campaign to Protect Rural England opposed the development, citing concerns about local ecosystems and the potential impact on species like marsh harriers. Today, the developers point to signs of nature adapting — or even returning — to the site. The park now includes 136 acres of habitat specifically managed for bird species. Brent geese, golden plovers, and water voles have all been spotted around the solar array. While official wildlife surveys haven’t yet been published, Gains said, “Some [wildlife] has returned and some has always been here.” Cleve Hill’s location was strategic. It shares a substation with the London Array offshore wind farm, allowing it to tap directly into the national grid. Beneath the fields, three massive 2,500 mm² cables run underground, transporting electricity from the site to homes and businesses across Kent and beyond. “There are three of them in the ground,” explained Jonny Sampson, a senior engineer from Fichtner Consulting Engineers. “It allows us to connect to the national grid and for the energy to be exported throughout Kent and across the country.” The park hit its peak output over the summer. As winter sets in, shorter daylight hours mean less generation — but the momentum continues. The UK passed 20GW of total solar capacity this summer, helped by Cleve Hill coming online in July. The government's Clean Power 2030 plan aims to more than double that figure to 45-46GW within the next five years. Cleve Hill alone won’t get the UK there. But as the first of many solar giants in the pipeline, it's already proving what’s possible.

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Bagpipers Claim World Record With Ac/dc's 'It's A Long Way To The Top'

It took 374 bagpipers, a thundering AC/DC anthem, and a whole lot of kilts—but Melbourne has officially blown past a world record. On Wednesday, a sea of bagpipers packed into Federation Square and let loose with a roaring rendition of “It’s a Long Way to the Top,” the AC/DC classic that famously features the pipes. The mass performance was dubbed “The Great Melbourne Bagpipe Bash,” and it set a new world record for the largest bagpipe ensemble playing a rock song. The choice of location was no accident. The square sits just blocks from where AC/DC filmed the original 1976 music video, blasting the same song atop a moving truck through Melbourne’s downtown traffic. It’s also near the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the band kicked off their first Australian tour in ten years that same night. Guitarist Angus Young, now 70, remains the only member from the original video still touring. He was set to perform at the MCG just minutes after the record attempt. Organizers said thousands of fans packed the square to witness the performance. Many of the pipers had to squeeze through the crowd to get to the stage area. The youngest player was in their teens; the oldest was 98. Among the performers were two veterans of the original truck performance nearly five decades ago—Les Kenfield and Kevin Conlon of the Rats of Tobruk Memorial Pipes and Drums. “It didn't strike you at the time how big this event is until now,” Kenfield told ABC Australia. “Now it’s one of the greatest things — probably the greatest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” After the official record was declared, the ensemble broke into “Happy Birthday,” followed by a spontaneous version of “Amazing Grace,” to cheers from the crowd and a sea of phones capturing the moment. The Australian Book of Records confirmed that 374 pipers had taken part, beating the previous mark of 333, set in Bulgaria in 2012. Guinness World Records, which officially recognized the Bulgarian feat, said it hadn’t been contacted to verify the Melbourne attempt. Many spectators wore AC/DC shirts and raised their hands when asked who was heading to the concert afterwards. One fan who missed the record entirely was Keegan Kohler, a 23-year-old electrician from Columbus, Ohio, who had been camped out outside the stadium since before 5 a.m. to make sure he was first through the gates. “I think Aussie crowds are going to be way better than the U.S.,” he said. “More eventful, more head banging, more excitement.” Kohler is attending two Melbourne shows and another in Sydney, bringing his AC/DC tally to seven cities on this tour alone. Also waiting outside was Stephen Scott, 33, from Charlotte, North Carolina, who had met Kohler at a previous concert in Detroit. Scott has already seen the band in both the U.S. and Europe, but said seeing AC/DC in their home country was something he couldn’t pass up. “I’ve always talked about wanting to see them here,” he said. “This is the first opportunity really to do it — and maybe the last.” His fiancée, Amber Thompson, added, “I enjoy it, but I probably wouldn’t be here if I didn’t know him.” She called Scott the “true fan” in the relationship. AC/DC may have written the song, but on Wednesday, it was Melbourne’s pipers who took it all the way to the top.

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Geomagnetic Storm Brings Dazzling Northern Lights To U.S. Skies

Skies over the United States have turned into a natural light show this week, with brilliant waves of red, green, and purple stretching far beyond their usual Arctic haunts. The display is thanks to a powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by a series of solar eruptions—specifically, coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—that are slamming into Earth’s magnetic field. The colorful phenomenon, known as the aurora borealis or northern lights, was visible as far south as Florida, with sightings in Texas, Ohio, Alabama, and Wisconsin. Forecasters at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center said the storm had already reached G4 status—the second-highest on a five-level scale—after two CMEs hit Earth earlier this week. But the most energetic eruption is still on its way and could arrive as early as Wednesday afternoon. “We believe that the ‘heart’ of the current CME — the magnetic cloud — is passing over the Earth and will continue to do so through the overnight hours,” the agency said in a statement. If that third CME is strong enough, it could push the geomagnetic storm to G5—the highest alert level—and extend the reach of the aurora even further south. A CME is a burst of charged particles and magnetic fields ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere at extreme speeds. When those particles collide with Earth’s magnetosphere, they excite gases in the atmosphere, producing colorful waves of light near the poles. But during particularly strong storms, the auroras can be seen at much lower latitudes. “The overall strength of the magnetic field from the passing CMEs was not only eight times stronger than what’s normal but is also favorable at the moment for continued activity,” said Shawn Dahl, a forecaster at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, in a video update. Photos and videos shared across social media show deep pinks glowing over Monroe, Wisconsin, green veils dancing in Minneapolis, and violet flashes streaking over Athens, Ohio. But the spectacle isn’t without consequences. NOAA has warned of potential “power fluctuations, GPS degradation and intermittent disruptions to radios.” While the effects are mostly expected to be minor, forecasters noted that “watches at this level are very rare,” and that people should remain alert in case the next CME intensifies the situation. For now, skywatchers from the Midwest to the Deep South are getting a rare look at the kind of auroras usually reserved for places like Alaska or Scandinavia. And with another blast from the Sun on the way, the show may not be over just yet.

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Netherlands Returns Looted 3,500-Year-Old Stone Bust To Egypt

The Netherlands will return an ancient stone sculpture to Egypt, more than a decade after officials say it was looted during the chaos of the Arab Spring. The 3,500-year-old artifact — a carved granodiorite head measuring about 19 centimetres tall — dates back to the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful rulers. Experts say the sculpture, which likely depicts a high-ranking official, was taken from Egypt around 2011 or 2012 and smuggled into Europe. It resurfaced in 2022 at the annual TEFAF art fair in Maastricht, one of the world’s most prestigious venues for fine art and antiquities. The dealer attempting to sell it voluntarily surrendered the object after suspicions were raised about its origins. “Things don’t show up at Maastricht unless they are museum quality,” said Christopher A. Marinello, founder of Art Recovery International, in an interview with the New York Times. He noted that many high-value artifacts looted during the Arab Spring are still missing and that their historical and cultural value is “incalculable.” Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof confirmed the repatriation this week, calling it a gesture of goodwill. Speaking to Dutch public broadcaster NOS, he said that the Netherlands would not receive anything in return and that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was pleased with the decision. In a statement, Dutch officials said the sculpture represents an important part of Egypt’s cultural identity and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to returning looted heritage items to their rightful owners. The bust will be formally handed over to Egypt’s ambassador to the Netherlands before the end of the year. The announcement coincides with the long-awaited opening of Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum, located near the pyramids of Giza. First proposed in 1992, the $1 billion museum has been plagued by decades of delays — but its debut has been met with fanfare and national pride. “This is Egypt’s gift to the world,” said Nevine El-Aref, media advisor to Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, in an interview with CBS News. “It’s a dream come true, after all these years.” The museum, one of the largest on the planet, boasts over 24,000 square metres of permanent exhibition space — the size of four football fields — and displays more than 57,000 artifacts, including many from the tomb of Tutankhamun. Its grand opening featured fireworks, a full orchestra, and dancers in elaborate pharaonic costumes, according to ABC News. Thutmose III, who ruled between 1479 and 1425 BCE, was known as a brilliant military commander who expanded Egypt’s empire through a series of campaigns in the Levant and Nubia. Artifacts from his reign are highly prized for their craftsmanship and historical value. Egypt has not yet announced where the returned sculpture will be displayed. But its homecoming adds to a growing list of ancient objects being repatriated as part of a global reckoning over colonial-era and illicit acquisitions. For now, it marks another symbolic moment: the return of a piece of Egypt’s past, just as the country is celebrating its future as a cultural hub.

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Meet the Statistician Mapping Britain's Waterways on Foot for Google Street View

Dr. Uy Hoang isn’t just going for a walk. He’s walking the equivalent of Google Street View — for Britain’s forgotten waterways. Frustrated by the lack of online mapping for bike and walking paths in his hometown, the 51-year-old Oxford statistician picked up a 360° camera and started filling in the blanks himself. Ten years and 300,000 images later, he's quietly become Britain’s most prolific Google Street View contributor, and ninth in the world. Armed with a $1,000 Insta360 camera, a lightweight monopod, and sturdy shoes, Uy has now walked over 1,600 miles, covering three-quarters of the UK’s canal network — all on foot. “Why have a bad map?” he says. “It’s like having no map.” His work isn’t just helping walkers and cyclists plan better routes. It’s also been used by flood modelers and environmental researchers. Along the way, Uy has documented everything from breathtaking views to abandoned trolleys, Lime bikes, and even mattresses floating in the water. He maps only in summer — to take advantage of the best light — and carries gear designed for all-day shoots. The biggest hazards? Slippery towpaths, potholes, and occasional isolation in sketchy areas. Despite the challenges, Uy says the work feels urgent. “There are so many pressures on our rivers — pollution, climate change,” he says. “It’s important we map them now, before change becomes irrevocable.” Now, he’s calling for global action — pointing out that major rivers like the Nile, the Mekong, and the Mississippi remain largely unmapped on platforms like Google Street View. His mission? To help people see the world more clearly, one footstep — and photo — at a time.

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University Awards Honorary Degrees To Over 500 Women, Righting A Decades-Old Injustice

More than 500 women who completed teacher training in the mid-20th century have finally received honorary degrees—some more than 70 years after finishing their studies. The special graduation ceremony was held on Monday by Sheffield Hallam University, recognising former students of the Lady Mabel College of Physical Education at Wentworth Woodhouse. The college operated between 1950 and 1977 and offered intensive teacher training, but never granted formal degrees due to national policy at the time. The long-overdue recognition follows a campaign led by Pam Hunt, a former student at the college, who described the moment as emotional and long-awaited. "It's just been such a long time coming," Hunt said. "I'm so grateful that we've been able to do it for those trailblazers — the very first students." Hunt, who went on to work as a PE teacher and later as a head of pastoral care and safeguarding, said the lack of a degree had impacted her career. “We didn’t receive the same salaries — we were on lower pay scales — and often progression and getting leadership roles was more difficult,” she said. She added that Lady Mabel College students “always felt like our courses were the equivalent of degree courses” but said that at the time, physical education and the arts were seen as “inferior” subjects. For many, the ceremony brought a mix of pride and disbelief. Janice Hopson, who completed her studies in 1976, said receiving a degree almost 50 years later “seems very, very strange, but is quite exhilarating.” At the time, she said, “I never much thought about not being awarded one because I was so excited to qualify as a teacher.” Hopson went on to teach for three decades. Meanwhile, 94-year-old Sybil Wilbraham — who began her studies in 1949 — received her degree “73 years late.” Laughing, she said the feeling “hasn’t impinged yet.” Lady Mabel College was absorbed by what was then Sheffield City Polytechnic in 1977, now Sheffield Hallam University. Nicola Rawlings, deputy chief operating officer at the university, explained that teaching colleges at the time weren’t permitted to award degrees, even though their courses were equivalent in academic level. “Lady Mabel College has got a very active alumni association, and they have been working very hard to make this happen,” Rawlings said. “The university has been really happy to work with them on this.” “A lot of work has been going on in the background to rectify that and recognise these inspiring women.” For the women who trained there — and for generations who followed — the honorary degrees are a symbol of long-overdue recognition.

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Scientists 3D Print Human Muscle Tissue in Space — and It Could Change the Future of Medicine

You can’t build muscle out of thin air — unless you're in space, apparently. Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully 3D printed functional human muscle tissue in microgravity, a breakthrough that could transform organ transplantation, biomedical research, and even astronaut health. Using a custom-designed biofabrication system called G-FLight (short for Gravity-independent Filamented Light), the team printed muscle fibers aboard parabolic flights that simulate weightlessness. The achievement, announced by ETH Zurich’s Department of Health Sciences and Technology, marks a significant step toward building full human organs in space. Why Print Tissue in Space? On Earth, gravity puts pressure on soft biological materials like bioink — a gel-like substance containing living cells used in tissue engineering. That stress makes it difficult to replicate the delicate architecture of human muscle fibers. In microgravity, however, those gravitational forces are dramatically reduced, allowing printed tissues to maintain structure and integrity during the fabrication process. The result? A more accurate, stable, and potentially transplantable muscle tissue. “3D printing tissues in weightlessness gives us a level of precision we can’t achieve on Earth,” said the ETH Zurich team in a release. A Leap Toward 3D-Printed Organs 3D printing human tissue — especially muscle or vascularized tissue — is considered a key milestone toward manufacturing entire human organs. With donor shortages and long transplant waitlists still a major issue globally, the ability to print organs on-demand could be life-changing. While 3D-printed windpipes, livers, and even bladders have already been created and transplanted under specific conditions, the challenge has always been how to scale that safely and reliably. Printing in space might be the answer. Space Medicine and Future Missions The implications aren’t just for patients on Earth. Astronauts face significant muscle loss during long stays in space, a condition that has so far had few solutions. Being able to manufacture and study muscle tissue in orbit could pave the way for medical breakthroughs that help maintain astronaut health on missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. In fact, researchers are already preparing to send 3D-printed artificial hearts to the International Space Station to study how microgravity affects cardiac tissue. Other experiments have explored the potential to 3D print retinas in orbit to treat degenerative vision diseases, or liver tissue to test new drugs more efficiently. Together, these efforts are turning space into a cutting-edge biomedical lab. A Future Beyond Earth This latest development shows that bioprinting — especially in the unique environment of space — is more than just science fiction. From solving the global organ shortage to supporting long-duration space missions, the ability to 3D print functional tissue in microgravity could reshape both medicine and space exploration. And one day, the muscle you lose on the way to Mars? You might just be able to print it back.

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Bride Turns Canceled Wedding Into Charity Event For Community Members With Disabilities

When a San Jose bride-to-be called off her wedding just two weeks before the big day, she was left with more than heartbreak — she was also staring down $15,000 in nonrefundable deposits. But instead of letting the day go to waste, she made a decision that stunned her community: she and her family donated the entire venue and catering to a local nonprofit that supports families of people with disabilities. The nonprofit, Parents Helping Parents, quickly transformed what was meant to be a wedding celebration into something entirely different — a candlelit charity event called the Ball for All. “I was incredibly touched that a bride, facing an extremely stressful and difficult situation, was willing to look past her own pain and consider how to use the significant financial deposit for the wedding to bring joy to others,” said Maria Daane, executive director of the organization. The bride and her family chose to remain anonymous, quietly arranging the donation just days before the event. With little time to plan, the nonprofit scrambled to send out invitations — unsure how many guests would be able to attend on such short notice. But when the evening arrived, every seat in the 100-person ballroom was filled. Guests with disabilities and their families arrived dressed to the nines, enjoying music, dancing, and the warmth of community. What could have been a night of sorrow became something joyful, inclusive, and unforgettable. “I imagine weddings are canceled now and then,” said Daane. “But never have I heard of one turned into a community party for those with disabilities and their families… It reinforces that any of us, regardless of our circumstances, can do something beautiful for others.” The Ball for All proved that even in the middle of personal disappointment, generosity can still light up a room.

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“Mom, Pull Over!”: Grandma and Aunt Help Deliver Baby on California Freeway

A California family now has a birth story they’ll never forget — and it all happened on the side of a freeway. In the early hours of November 8, Susan Sisler was driving her pregnant daughter, Alyssa, to the hospital when things took a dramatic turn. Just 15 minutes from their destination, Alyssa’s labor suddenly progressed — fast. “Mom, pull over! His head’s coming out!” Alyssa shouted, according to Susan. With no time to spare, Susan pulled over on the 215 Freeway near Eastridge Avenue. Her other daughter, Jessica, was in the car too. Together, the grandmother and aunt jumped into action. “I see the head,” Susan recalled saying. “Get out of the way!” she shouted, before positioning her hands to help safely deliver her grandson. At 2:35 a.m., baby Jackson was born on the side of the freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol. The baby's father arrived at the scene shortly after and rode with the new family in the ambulance to the hospital. Video shared by KTLA showed the father in the back of the ambulance, looking relieved and emotional as he sat with Alyssa and Jackson. Both mother and baby are healthy and doing well, the family confirmed. “It’s so amazing,” Susan told reporters. “I’m shaking. I feel like I’m going to pass out — just excited and overjoyed.” A dramatic delivery, a healthy baby, and a freeway exit no one in the family will ever forget.

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New Romantic Comedy Aims For Historic Space Shoot With Astronaut Scott Kelly's Expertise

A new romantic comedy titled I See You is setting its sights on an ambitious goal: to become the first Western film to launch a filmmaker into low-Earth orbit to shoot key scenes in actual space. The project, spearheaded by Italian producer Andrea Iervolino (Ferrari, To the Bone) and his astro-focused production company Space11 Corp, will blend live-action scenes shot in orbit with stock space footage and Earth-based cinematography. While I See You won’t be filmed entirely in space, it’s aiming to break new ground by putting a director behind the camera in orbit — a first for a Western film. Details on the plot, cast, and lead filmmaker are still under wraps, and shooting is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2026. But given the tight global launch schedules, that timeline may shift. Crucially, the production is still in the process of securing a seat aboard a crewed spaceflight — the central element needed to pull it off. Adding significant credibility to the project is retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who has officially joined the production as an advisor. Kelly, who spent nearly a full year aboard the International Space Station and flew on four space missions during his 17-year career, will bring his first-hand expertise to ensure the film’s portrayal of life in space is grounded in real science and human experience. According to Deadline, Kelly will help the team understand the psychological and physical toll of space travel — including isolation, confinement, and emotional connection in a zero-gravity environment — themes central to the film’s romantic narrative. “Having Scott Kelly on board is an extraordinary honor,” Iervolino told Deadline. “His experience brings emotional truth and scientific realism to our vision — reminding us that love and humanity transcend every boundary, even in the silence of space.” Screenwriters Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, known for their work on Northern Exposure and The Sopranos, are penning the script. While the idea of filming in orbit might sound far-fetched, it’s not without precedent. In 2023, Russia released The Challenge, the first feature film to shoot actual scenes in space using professional actors. Meanwhile, a long-rumored collaboration between Tom Cruise, director Doug Liman, and SpaceX remains stuck in development limbo. If I See You does make it to orbit, it won’t just be a cinematic novelty — it will mark a new chapter in filmmaking, blending love, science, and the final frontier in ways no rom-com ever has.

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