Global News

The U.S. has a big syphilis problem on its hands. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that reported cases of the sexually transmitted infection once again climbed in 2022, reaching a total not seen in over 70 years. In slightly better news, reported cases of gonorrhea have taken a slight… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/UahyIHJ

The next Star Trek movie is upon us, and no, it’s not got anything to do with Chris Pine or Jean-Luc Picard : Michelle Yeoh is back in sneaky action for Star Trek: Section 31 , and Paramount has found her co-stars. Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/TblXfmZ

Coach Dawn Staley’s South Carolina team remains No. 1 in the AP women’s basketball poll. Nell Redmond/AP South Carolina remained the clear No. 1 team in the country and No. 2 Kansas State matched its best ranking ever after a chaotic week that saw nearly half of the AP Top 25 lose at least one game. The Gamecocks received all 35 first-place votes Monday in the latest Associated Press women’s basketball poll after their 76-70 road victory over then-No. 9 LSU. While Dawn Staley’s team stayed unbeaten, many other top schools stumbled. LSU was one of five top 10 teams to lose a game last week. Overall, a dozen ranked teams had at least one defeat. Kansas State now has its highest ranking since Nov. 25, 2002. The Wildcats have won 15 straight games, the last few without star center Ayoka Lee. She is sidelined for a few more weeks with an ankle injury. Kansas State has a tough stretch ahead with games at Oklahoma and Texas. Iowa moved back up to third as Caitlin Clark moved...

It’s that time of the year again. Super Bowl LVIII (or 58) is all set to kick off on February 11, with the Kansas City Chiefs squaring off against the San Francisco 49ers . The Super Bowl is way more than just football and will likely be a star-studded event with celebrities like Taylor Swift in attendance. Half of its… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/jrZxLbX

The fan service was strong with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. And to please Reylo fans, the redeemed Ben Solo, formerly Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), got his reverse Uno Snow White moment when Rey (Daisy Ridley) kissed him before he died. Ultimately, the kiss didn’t really please anyone—no matter if they were rooting… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/EaiZ2S4

Earlier in the month, a comedy special featuring an AI-generated George Carlin showed up on YouTube. The jokes weren’t that great and there were questions about using a dead person’s likeness without permission, and on Thursday, a lawsuit from the legendary comedian’s family made it clear that this isn’t a laughing… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/ReGYiQl

“My doctor doesn’t see me living into my 60s and eventually I’m going to need round-the-clock care at home," lamented Jana Nelson. from New York Post https://ift.tt/FEMfyb0

Bears quarterback Justin Fields runs with the ball during a game against the Falcons on Dec. 31 at Soldier Field. Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images The Bears posted a 48-second Justin Fields highlight video Saturday on X. Here he’s throwing a touchdown pass to his favorite target, DJ Moore. There he’s escaping the clutches of a defender on the way to another death-defying run. The video has set off a social-media frenzy because many see it as a sign, possibly from above, that the Bears are going to keep Fields as their quarterback and either use the No. 1 overall draft pick on a receiver or trade it to get more picks and players. Embracing this idea involves a lot more than suspending belief. It involves huge amounts of hope and gullibility, a large dose of conspiratorial thinking and possibly some moonshine. If it is a suspension of belief, it should come with a $50,000 fine. According to the most overheated interpretations, no one in the Bears’ social-media depar...

This year’s Sundance film festival featured the documentary Super/Man , which chronicles the late Christopher Reeve , who played the DC character from 1978-1987. With how beloved the actor’s take on Superman was for a certain generation, it’s no surprise that studios are trying to snatch it up, and it may have found a… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/PorDQey

A Staten Island man has been charged with killing his 82-year-old mother, six days after she was found dead at home, police sources said. from New York Post https://ift.tt/0Wc3VkC

Chief economist and global strategist, Peter Schiff has made a startling prediction regarding Bitcoin, albeit with a condition. The popular economist has revealed that BTC could potentially achieve a monumental price value of $10 million if the United States dollar depreciates due to hyperinflation.  Bitcoin To Surge $10 Million If Dollar Collapses In a recent X (formerly Twitter) post, a crypto investor raised the question of Bitcoin potentially skyrocketing to $10,000,000 by 2031. Responding to the inquiry, Schiff acknowledged the possibility of such a scenario, however, only if the US dollar experienced a similar hyperinflation event as the German Papiermark.  The German Papiermark was the official currency of Germany in 1914 when the country’s gold standards were terminated. Due to hyperinflation, the currency depreciated significantly, causing millions of citizens to go bankrupt and forcing the government to opt for a different currency.  This hypothetical...

CREVE COEUR, Mo – In a recent social media post , Creve Coeur police provided details about an incident involving one of their police vehicles and a drunk driver, fortunately resulting in no fatal injuries. The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 a.m. on January 27, when police were responding to a drunk driving accident on Interstate 270 near Ladue Road. While officers were actively involved in assisting with the initial wreck, a patrol car was parked on the shoulder. This patrol car was struck and totaled by another vehicle. Insurance companies return $27.5 million to Missourians Authorities report that the car involved in the second collision was operated by an intoxicated driver. The patrol car was rear-ended during the incident, but thankfully, the police officer was not inside the vehicle at the time of impact, leading to no serious injuries. from FOX 2 https://ift.tt/owPJzb5

Next week’s Saturn Awards are going to honor Keanu Reeves at its event, with a special honor named after his John Wick co-star, Lance Reddick . Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/VbD3OWK

Earlier this week, AI-generated porn featuring Taylor Swift started circulating on X (formerly Twitter). Swifties were scandalized. Polite society was incensed. Swift herself hasn’t publicly commented on the scandal but it’s easy to imagine she’s probably not thrilled about it. Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/XDrseIZ

Microsoft laid 1,900 employees in its gaming division, according to an internal memo seen by The Verge on Thursday, with a majority of the layoffs hitting its newly acquired Activision Blizzard employees. Some Xbox and ZeniMax employees were also affected, according to the memo. The layoffs come roughly three months… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/dq5ECQw

EV buyers are often motivated by a desire to save money on gas and/or drive something more environmentally friendly. But, a recent story out of Florida in The Miami Herald details how EV owners there have been blindsided by how fast they’re having to change the tires on their EVs. Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/bCgGKhX

The saga of Japan’s lunar lander continues to unfold, with the first images of SLIM on the surface of the Moon revealing the unfortunate position the spacecraft has ended up in. Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/DyVP0AF

In one month, two of The Walking Dead’s most popular characters return . Rick and Michonne, played by Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira, are back on The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live , and now its final trailer has been released. Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/VTJmBN2

Ryan Reynolds celebrated the conclusion of filming Deadpool 3 in the most Deadpool way imaginable . With a picture of his genitals. They were behind a costume, of course—but still, it’s clearly a photo of Deadpool’s junk. Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/RFkCLJ1

Physics at the smallest scales is a challenge of observation: Particles are often fleeting, and the forces that govern their behavior are nearly imperceptible. But now, by exploiting decades-old data and a 50-year-old prediction about gravity’s import on subatomic particles, a team of physicists has teased out a… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/SQvY9oh

New Yorkers will finally be able to grow their own thanks to new ordinances set for a vote by the state’s Cannabis Control Board. If the proposed regulations are finalized, state residents will be allowed to cultivate up to 12 cannabis plants and keep 5 pounds of self-produced cannabis flower in their shoebox… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/Ud3pDIo

Nintendo confirmed on its support page that April 8 is when it’s going to shut down online services for two of its older consoles: the 3DS and Wii U. The Mario company says March 27 is when the eShop for both will be discontinued while March 11 is the last date to transfer any money you might have in those eShops… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/X0ruBa8

One of the hazards of ice fishing is knowing where Canada geese have kept holes open or had kept holes open, such as these geese at Montrose Harbor on Saturday. Dale Bowman Ice fishing is areawide, for now, around Chicago and leads this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report. DERBY As of Tuesday, the LVVA Ice Fishing Derby was still on for Friday through Sunday at Bangs Lake in Wauconda. Check waucondaicefishingderby.com or on Facebook for updates. ICE FISHING Ice fishing is spread areawide so updates are within the individual reports. With the recent conditions, use care on the ice and, as Dave Kranz mentions in his report, creepers are an absolute must if there is no snow on the ice. Ice fishing regulations for area public sites are at https://chicago.suntimes.com/2024/1/14/24034370/ice-fishing-regulations-updated-chicago-area-public-sites . AUGER SHARPENING For the 24th year,  Fran Connelly  is sharpening auger blades. Find  “Ice Auger Sharpeni...

We may think of Star Wars as futuristic but never forget it’s actually set a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars is the past and with a new series of art pieces, artist Daniel Arsham has reimagined some of the franchise’s iconic pieces as ancient relics. Or, as he’d say, “future relics.” Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/4neERcb

The International Space Station is so hot right now, with no less than two movies out featuring the orbital lab, namely I.S.S. and Constellation . Indeed, the ISS is an absolute icon and a fixture of popular culture. But beyond its well-known status as a pioneering space laboratory, it harbors a wealth of lesser-known… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/9CBuDKY

It takes time to review a smartphone, especially one as beefed up and feature-filled as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra purports to be. Instead of keeping you waiting for weeks as I test out the hardware and explore its offerings, I’m taking a gradual approach. Journey with me as I learn all about Samsung’s new Galaxy… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/lTbLyf4

ST. LOUIS – As the cold sleeting weather is expected in the early morning on Monday , the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) held a press conference to outline their plans for handling the anticipated frozen weather. Drivers and commuters in the St. Louis area are urged to prepare for potentially hazardous conditions, including freezing rain and icy roadways. MODOT advises individuals to consider delaying their start time, working from home, or taking the day off to avoid the dangers associated with the expected icy conditions. If you have to be on the roads tomorrow, MODOT recommends leaving early, driving cautiously, and being prepared with a full tank of gas, warm clothing, and emergency supplies. The Missouri Highway State Patrol emphasizes the importance of exercising caution on the roads, particularly on elevated surfaces and bridges. They recommend staying informed about changing road conditions, preparing vehicles, and being aware of potential delays in emergency ...

The Nazareth Roadrunners are learning to deal with every team’s best shot as the defending state champions. | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times Chicago Sun Times To understand Nazareth’s season this year, you must look back to last season when the Roadrunners won the Class 3A state finals. After that game, the Roadrunners bid adieu to Grace Carstensen — who plays college basketball at DePaul —but knew they would return the bulk of last year’s roster. This season, they’re at the top of the food chain. There aren’t any days off for the Roadrunners. “We say before every game that we’re every team’s Super Bowl,” said senior forward Danielle Scully, who finished with 10 points. “It’s hard because we don’t really get a break, but it’s awesome for us to grow as players and as people.” Against Evanston on Saturday, the Roadrunners took the Wildkits’ best shot and didn’t flinch. Every run had an answer. The team never lost its composure and handled its business in a 65-39 win ov...

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One finally came to theaters last year after a longer than expected wait due to COVID . If you decided to wait for it to hit streaming, good news: it’s hitting Paramount+ next Friday, January 25. Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/HzvlVsS

Iranian and Hezbollah military leaders have been assisting Houthis on the ground in Yemen to bolster the terrorist group’s Red Sea strikes, sources said. from New York Post https://ift.tt/KMXR4fu

ST. LOUIS - Inflation has made it tougher to stretch dollars further compared to years past. However, in some cases, depending on where you live in Missouri or Illinois, income growth has outpaced the rampant rise in prices. According to the World Bank Group , a global financial institution, the U.S. inflation rate for 2022 was 8%, the highest yearly mark in nearly four decades. Two children die in St. Charles County fire SmartAsset, a financial technology company, recently analyzed U.S. Census Bureau data in a study involving nearly 350 of the nation's largest cities and ranked them based on income growth. The study was called "Where Income Increased Most Over One Year" and was published last October. The findings revealed that only around half of major U.S. cities measured kept up with the 2022 inflation rate, and dozens reported income losses from 2021 to 2022. Income trends in Missouri Based on the 8% inflation clip from 2022, only one Missouri city feature...

Uze, a brand that primarily makes power banks, sent me its first-ever graphene-heated jacket this winter. After wearing it for a couple of days, I’ll admit I was left wanting for way more. Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/Wv374Rc

Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan are getting ready to make their fifth movie together and, for the first time ever, this one is going to suck. That’s because it’s about vampires . Or so the rumors say. Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/Fix5KYm

In April 2023, SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket lifted off for the first time, sending chunks of debris thousands of feet across the South Texas landscape and sparking a fire in a nearby state park. It was an environmental nightmare; the launchpad is surrounded by a wildlife habitat that’s home to endangered species.… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/Dg4q0NC

Tired of dealing with popups begging you to accept cookies? Blame the EU. In 2018, Europe unleashed a groundbreaking privacy law called the GDPR that, among a billion other things, makes websites ask permission before tracking you with cookies. A lot of companies switched their whole systems over rather than building… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/vyRkdpJ

More than 75 million people use Alexa , but by Amazon’s standards, the service is a total failure . The problem is Alexa doesn’t make any money, and the service is a huge drain on company resources. Apparently, Amazon has a last-ditch plan to save its digital assistant by supercharging it with AI and charging you for… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/tWkzvaD

The third private mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is getting ready to launch an all-European crew, along with dozens of scientific experiments, to low Earth orbit. Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/OThkpDl

In May 1999, Star Wars hadn’t been in movie theaters for nearly 20 years—well, new Star Wars, at least; the Special Editions had returned a few years prior. But the galaxy far, far away was about to explode with the arrival of The Phantom Menace . And actually, a few weeks earlier, the explosion had already begun, in… Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/hUZuMbm

You can take that latest Star Wars rumor and throw it in the sarlacc pit. Earlier this week, rumors surfaced that the upcoming Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Star Wars film featuring the return of Daisy Ridley as Rey had been delayed indefinitely. The reason? Creative differences with the film’s writer, Steven Knight. Read more... from Gizmodo https://ift.tt/b5uRMN8