LONDONDelighting his schoolmates as he weaved a rich tapestry of life in the United States, newly returned British exchange student Ethan Rowe, 15, reportedly regaled his friends Tuesday with stories of food that tastes good. In America they use salt, and they have sauces other than malt vinegar and brown! Rowe said to growing throngs of uniformed secondary schoolers, who oohed and aahed at his descriptions of leafy vegetables and of sausages that had texture and were not made of coagulated blood. There are pizzas with toppings like fig and arugula, and the thinnest, crisp crust, and they have roast barbecue meats that are flavorful instead of plain. As for breakfast, they have something called breakfast burritos, which are little rolls of delicious fried potatoes and egg, served with a red or green dressing called salsa. And theres not a mashed turnip in sight! At press time, sources confirmed Rowe was receiving pushback from schoolmates who denied it was possible to add seasoning to a meal.The post British Teen Returning From Semester In U.S. Regales Friends With Tale Of Food That Tastes Good appeared first on The Onion.

It took a surprising yet satisfying turn.READ MORE...

Book publisher HarperCollins said it will start translating romance novels under its famous Harlequin label in France using AI, reducing or eliminating the pay for the team of human contract translators who previously did this work.Publishers Weekly broke the news in English after French outlets reported on the story in December. According to a joint statement from French Association of Literary Translators (ATFL) and En Chair et en Os (In Flesh and Bone)an anti-AI activist group of French translatorsHarperCollins France has been contacting its translators to tell them theyre being replaced with machines in 2026.The ATFL/ En Chair et en Os statement explained that HarperCollins France would use a third party company called Fluent Planet to run Harlequin romance novels through a machine translation system. The books would then be checked for errors and finalized by a team of freelancers. The ATFL and En Chair et en Os called on writers, book workers, and readers to refuse this machine translated future. They begged people to reaffirm our unconditional commitment to human texts, created by human beings, in dignified working conditions.HarperCollins France did not return 404 Medias request for comment, but told Publishers Weekly that no Harlequin collection has been translated solely using machine translation generated by artificial intelligence. In its statement, it explained that the company turned to AI translations because Harlequins sales had declined in France.We want to continue offering readers as many publications as possible at the current very low retail price, which is 4.99 for the Azur series, for example, the statement said. We are therefore conducting tests with Fluent Planet, a French company specializing in translation for 20 years: this company uses experienced translators who utilize artificial intelligence tools for part of their work.According to Fluent Planets website, its translators studied at the best translation universities or have decades of experience under their belt. These human translators are aided by a proprietary translation agent Fluent Planet called BrIAn.When compared to standard machine translation systems that use neural networks, BrIAn can provide 2 to 3 times higher quality translations, that are more accurate, offer idiomatic phrasing, provide a deeper understanding of the meaning and a faithful representation of the style and emotions of the source text, the site said. BrIAn takes into account the authors tone and intention, making it highly effective for complex literary or marketing content.Translation is a delicate work that requires deep knowledge of both languages. Nuances and subtletiestwo aspects of writing AIs are notoriously terrible atcan be lost or deranged if not carefully considered during the translation process. Translation is not simply a substitution game. Idioms, jargon, and regional dialects come into play and need a human touch to work in another language. Even with humans, the results are never perfect.HarperCollins France is not the first major publisher to announce its giving some of its translation duties over to an AI. In March of 2025, UK Publisher Taylor & Francis announced plans to use AI to publish English-language books in other languages to expand readership. The publisher promised AI-translated books would be copyedited and then reviewed by Taylor & Francis editors and the books authors before publication.In a manifesto on its website, In Flesh and Bone begged readers to say no to soulless translations.These generative programmes are fed with existing human works, mined as simple bulk data, without offering the authors the choice to give their consent or not, the manifesto said. Furthermore, the data processing remains dependent on an enormous amount of human labour that is invisibilized, often carried out in conditions that are appalling, underpaid, dehumanizing, even traumatizing (when content moderation is involved). Finally, the storage of the necessary data for the functioning and training of algorithms produces a disastrous ecological footprint in terms of carbon balance and energy consumption. What may appear as progress is actually leading to immense losses of expertise, cognitive skills, and intellectual capacity across all human societies. It paves the way for a soulless, heartless, gutless future, saturated with standardized content, produced instantaneously in virtually unlimited quantity. We are close to a point of no return that we would never forgive ourselves for reaching.The translation of the manifesto from French to English was done by the collective themselves.

Nature, Published online: 06 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-03990-wA peek behind the scenes at the zoo reveals animal escapades, and a glow-worm shines in a mild midwinter, in our weekly dip into Natures archive.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said former Spartans star Paul Davis deserved his ejection from the stands during Monday night's game against USC.

The Dallas Cowboys have relieved Matt Eberflus of his duties as defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN Insider Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

Whether Manchester United aim to hire quickly or wait until summer, here are the coaches they could be after.

Terence Crawford, Gabriela Fundora, Rolando "Rolly" Romero and others were part of the best boxing moments of 2025.

The Packers need a WR1? The Broncos can't keep winning tight games? The Pats' run defense and the Seahawks' run offense are problems? We're not so sure.

Mr. Welch worked to move the mens magazine away from what he called manly-man tropes. His next role will be with Pharrell, the mens designer of Louis Vuitton.

The master Hungarian filmmakers movies included Satantango and Werckmeister Harmonies.

The U.S. assault on Venezuela points to a world where big powers seek to call the shots in their regions, an idea Beijing knows well.

The talks, in Paris, are the latest effort to reduce tensions between two longstanding enemies. A deal would help both curry favor with the Trump administration.

The reactions online revealed a Chinese society divided: Some saw what happened in Venezuela as a playbook for seizing Taiwan, while others warned about ideological rigidity.

Nature, Published online: 06 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00005-0Achieving net zero means eliminating fossil fuels, not carbon the chemical element has a crucial part to play in powering the modern world.

Coco Gauff won another major title in 2025, and Taylor Fritz continued to lead the American men. But who else is set to make a move in 2026?

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele stayed at Cal, but more often than not, college quarterbacks are on the move

NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps announced his resignation after more than 20 years with the top racing series in the U.S. and a nasty federal trial in which inflammatory texts he sent during contentious revenue sharing negotiations were revealed.

The discussions, also attended by top U.S. negotiators and other allies of Ukraine, are intended to make progress on European commitments to postwar security if a cease-fire is reached.

Mr. LaMalfa had represented a district in northeastern California since 2013.

He has promised a major shake-up of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Heres what experts are watching for.

Trumps increasing belligerence abroad should raise alarm about more than the fate of Venezuela.

The post Steph Curry Finally Finishes Eating Mouthguard appeared first on The Onion.

The post Mark Kelly Punished With Expulsion To Outer Space appeared first on The Onion.

WASHINGTONLauding the breakthrough as a pivotal moment in the search for stones beyond the solar system, researchers at NASA announced Tuesday the discovery of a distant planet with perfect conditions for sustaining rocks. After analysis of HD 101581 bs atmosphere and surface conditions, we are confident this astronomical body meets all known criteria for supporting rocks, said NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, specifying that the warm, dry atmosphere and presence of elements such as potassium and calcium point to the exoplanet containing an abundance of sand, pebbles, and other key building blocks of rocks. Many extrasolar planets are gas giants like Jupiter, which have no place for rocks to sit. Indeed, theres only a narrow zone in every stars orbit that is hospitable to rocks, and thanks to advancements in satellite imagery, we can confirm that a planet like this may one day play host to the very rocks we find here on Earth. NASA scientists cautioned that while the presence of rocks outside the solar system was all but assured, the odds were astonishing low that humans would ever encounter intelligent rocks.The post NASA Discovers Distant Planet With Conditions That Could Sustain Rocks appeared first on The Onion.

Its a must for any guest bathroom.READ MORE...

Nature, Published online: 06 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-03984-8A photonic skin with controllable colour and texture brings materials science a step closer to the adaptive camouflage found in nature.

Florida has signed Georgia Tech transfer quarterback Aaron Philo, sources told ESPN. He follows offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner to Gainesville.

The Falcons and Kirk Cousins agreed to modify the final two years of the QB's contract, setting the stage for a decision on his Atlanta future to be made by the third day of the 2026 NFL league year on March 13, a source told ESPN.

Harry Kane is available for 60m, but could he extend his Bayern Munich contract? Plus, Man United's manager search has begun. Transfer Talk has the latest.

Companies like Kairos Power are building new types of reactors with the encouragement of the Trump administration, but their success is far from assured.

The lawsuit challenges a conservative effort to punish those who criticized Mr. Kirk in the aftermath of his killing.

Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, posted a video showing an immigration arrest being made as part of the administrations announced crackdown.

A group of tech executives, app developers and Silicon Valley philosophers is seeking to streamline the messy matters of the heart.

Every year the New York Timess Travel desk compiles the 52 places to go. Gabriela Bhaskar visits two locations.

A private outdoor patio is an almost a mythical luxury in New York City, but Kate Ruberti's 538-square-foot Brooklyn studio apartment is a gorgeous unicorn, inside and out!READ MORE...

When it comes to painting your home, bright colors can be intimidating especially if your space is on the smaller side. Color becomes crucial when theyre vivid and flamboyant, meaning youll need to be intentional; throwing a hot pink pillow on the couch or a lime green print on the wall of an otherwise understated space may come across tacky rather than tasteful, design pros say.I spoke to interior designer Linda Hayslett of LH.READ MORE...

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Nature, Published online: 06 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00044-7Studying ancient sea creatures snoozing habits could shed light on the origins of sleep.

The Washington Commanders and OC Kliff Kingsbury have mutually agreed to go their separate ways, while DC Joe Whitt Jr. has been fired, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

"Who would want the Raiders job?" The inside story of how the Raiders went from playoff hopes to the No. 1 pick and another fired coach.

Pamela Hemphill, who said she rejected President Trumps pardon for her role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, apologized to a Capitol Police officer who was assaulted during the mayhem.

Former South Florida standout QB Byrum Brown has committed to Auburn, Rosenhaus Sports told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Tuesday.

Rights groups accuse security forces of killing protesters and storming a hospital in the province of Ilam. State media claimed that some protesters were armed.

Jan. 6 is a symptom. Elite impunity is the cause.

WASHINGTONAs he wandered aimlessly through the halls of the U.S. Capitol building, lost Jan. 6 rioter Alex Morris told reporters Tuesday that he was still searching for former Vice President Mike Pence. Oh my God, how am I back in Statuary Hall again? Where the hell is Pence? said Morris, tucking a noose under his arm while opening Google Maps and reorienting himself in the direction of the National Mall. At this point, I can barely remember why I wanted to hang the guy in the first place. It feels like Ive circled the Senate Chamber a million times. Does anyone know where Ashli Babbitt is? She knows her way around here. At press time, Morris reportedly attempted to jog his memory by taking a shit in the office of Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).The post Lost Jan. 6 Rioter Still Searching Capitol Building For Mike Pence appeared first on The Onion.

Texas receiver Parker Livingstone, who had 516 yards as a freshman and was Arch Manning's roommate, has committed to transfer to rival Oklahoma, sources told ESPN.

There is no simple procedural mechanism for lawyers, or the public, to challenge the fitness of judges.

President Trump is still sowing doubt about the integrity of Americas elections. The claims could affect this years midterms.

Ray Jayawardhana, the incoming president, is an astrophysicist, but leaders at the California Institute of Technology also praised his credentials as a communicator at a time when science is under attack.