The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) has launched a new Residence Notification service on the Sahel app in Kuwait. The service alerts property owners instantly whenever a new lease is registered on their property, allowing them to verify legitimacy, cancel unauthorized residencies, and stay informed. The move aims to protect owners’ rights, improve rental oversight, and ensure accurate residency records.

Verizon experienced a widespread outage on Wednesday, affecting mobile and data services for tens of thousands of customers across the United States. Users reported "SOS" messages on their devices as the disruption began just after noon and persisted into the evening. Verizon acknowledged the issue, stating engineering teams were actively working to restore connectivity as quickly as possible.

Nick Shirley says he received death threats after posting a video about alleged fraud in Minnesota. Brandon Tatum stepped in to help pay for security, saying free speech should not risk lives. Shirley spoke about the threats on major podcasts, sharing how the situation affected his family and daily safety.

DJ Akademiks and streamer SummyahMarie are in an ongoing online dispute after he accused her of being part of “escort culture.” She denied the claims during a January 10, 2026 livestream and later shared text messages showing she sent him a cease-and-desist letter. Both continue to defend their positions publicly.

In a significant breach of trust, ex-US Navy sailor Jinchao Wei has received a sentence exceeding 16 years behind bars. Wei engaged in espionage by selling critical military information, including intricate technical manuals and operational specifics on US Navy vessels, to a Chinese intelligence agent, pocketing over $12,000 in the process.

Former US envoy Nikki Haley has urged America to make China its top priority for visa restrictions, highlighting immigration and national security concerns. This statement emerges as the US prepares to temporarily halt immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 nations, including Russia and Iran, starting January 2026, citing enhanced 'public charge' rule scrutiny.

Streamer Adin Ross faces significant backlash and a reported 30% drop in Kick earnings after making offensive remarks about rapper Doechii and other Black women. Despite pledges to Black-owned businesses and denials of racism, the controversy has impacted his reputation and partnerships, leading to speculation about a temporary break from streaming.

Minneapolis faces protests after ICE agents arrest a disabled woman. Video shows agents smashing a car window and removing the woman. She stated she was going to a doctor. ICE officials warn against interference. The agency claims the woman obstructed an operation to arrest an Ecuadorian man. Six others were arrested for assaulting officers.

New research reveals ancient Roman wine was more complex and flavorful than previously thought. Studies of large clay jars, called dolia, show they acted as complete production units, influencing fermentation and aging. This suggests Roman wines possessed spicy, nutty notes and a range of colors, indicating a sophisticated winemaking industry.

Spanish archaeologists have revived the sound of 6,000-year-old Neolithic shell horns, capable of producing powerful notes exceeding 100 decibels. Discovered across various sites, these instruments suggest a sophisticated long-distance communication system for early farming communities, used in settlements, caves, and mines. The findings challenge previous assumptions about prehistoric wind instruments, highlighting their practical, rather than purely ceremonial, function.

The International Space Station saw a change of command as Crew 11 handed over duties to Roscosmos due to an astronaut's medical issue. NASA's Mike Fincke passed the station's symbolic key to cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov. Crew 11, including Fincke, is scheduled to return to Earth on January 15th after a shortened mission.

Pluto, once considered the ninth planet, was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006 because it shares its orbital path with other objects. Despite its demotion, this distant world continues to fascinate with its icy surface, thin atmosphere, and unique orbit. NASA's New Horizons mission revealed a surprisingly active and dynamic Pluto, offering clues about the solar system's formation.

Scientists have discovered that plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean is now home to marine life. Coastal animals are unexpectedly surviving and even reproducing on floating debris. This new community, formed on plastic rafts, is altering ocean ecosystems. The findings reveal the high seas are not as empty as previously believed, being reshaped by human waste.

Indian-origin astrophysicist Shri Kulkarni has received the Royal Astronomical Society's Gold Medal, its highest honour, for revolutionizing time-domain astronomy. His groundbreaking work, from discovering millisecond pulsars to developing advanced sky-scanning instruments like ZTF, has transformed our understanding of the universe's dynamic nature. This prestigious award recognizes his immense contributions to astrophysics.

Nalini Joshi, an Indian-origin mathematician, has been named New South Wales’ Scientist of the Year, the first mathematician to receive this top Australian science honour. Her pioneering work in applied mathematics, particularly in integrable systems, has significantly advanced fields like fibre-optic technology and quantum cryptography, highlighting mathematics' crucial role in addressing modern challenges.

Angel Falls in Venezuela presents a unique spectacle. Its immense height causes water to turn into mist before it reaches the ground. Air resistance and the sheer scale of the fall break the water into droplets. This fine spray then drifts into the surrounding jungle. Some moisture does reach lower levels, nourishing the environment.

A medical issue has prompted NASA astronauts on the International Space Station to cut their mission short. The Crew-11 spacecraft is set to undock soon, with a splashdown planned off California's coast. While the crew member is stable, details remain undisclosed. This unexpected departure means one astronaut will stay behind to ensure a US presence.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has identified asteroid 2025 MN45, a 710-meter object spinning at an unprecedented rate of once every 1.88 minutes. This discovery challenges existing models of asteroid structure, suggesting a cohesive strength previously thought impossible for such large, fast-rotating bodies. The finding offers new insights into solar system history and asteroid material properties.