What’s driving the ‘weather whiplash’ that’s fueling the Los Angeles fires

Around the world, dramatic swings between heavy rain and drought are increasing exponentially, according to new research.

It’s supposed to be the rainy season in Southern California, but the last time Los Angeles measured more than a tenth-inch of rain was eight months ago, after the city logged one of the soggiest periods in its recorded history. Since then, bone-dry conditions have set the stage for the catastrophic wildfires now descending upon the metropolis from multiple directions.

Why this night sky advocacy group is praising an oil and gas developer in New Mexico

Stargazers worldwide are grappling with the encroachment of outdoor lighting at night.

Advocates for limits on indiscriminate outdoor lighting that obscures night skies worldwide are recognizing efforts by an oil and natural gas developer to reduce scattered light in New Mexico.

DarkSky International, an advocacy group for preserving or restoring views of starry skies, announced on Wednesday its first-ever certification of oil and natural gas sites that seek to reduce unwanted light...

Vince McMahon, SEC reach deal over settlements

The SEC says it has settled charges against former WWE CEO Vince McMahon over his failure to disclose that he signed two settlement agreements worth $10.5 million with two women in order for them not to reveal potential claims against himself and WWE.

Lopsided betting on Buckeyes to corral Longhorns

The betting public is squarely behind favored Ohio State against Texas on Friday, with the overwhelming number of bets and money wagered being placed on the Buckeyes to handle the underdog Longhorns.

15 Extremely Awkward And Weird Moments From Jimmy Carter's Funeral

What a weird day.

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Yeedi Cube robot vacuum and mop drops to an all-time low of $300

You’ll only need to empty the Yeedi Cube’s base every once in a while. It handles the rest. | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge

The Yeedi Cube doesn’t have the modularity and extremities of some of the cool new robot vacuums we’ve seen at CES 2025, but the self-emptying, self-cleaning mopping robovac is also much more reasonably priced. It’s even cheaper today at Amazon, where you can buy it for $299.99 ($260 off) when you clip an on-page coupon. That’s the...

How AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are responding to the LA wildfires

Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images

As wildfires continue to devastate parts of Los Angeles County, hundreds of thousands of residents are without power as utility crews work to restore connectivity. Mobile carriers are also taking action to keep their services online and provide relief to affected residents.

Here’s how major carriers are responding.

In an update on Thursday, Verizon said it will waive call, text, and data usage incurred by prepaid and postpaid...

Scott Burton’s Civic Engagement and Eroticism Merge at the Pulitzer

Paradigm-shifter for public art in the ’80s, groundbreaking (and openly queer) performance artist in the ’70s, Burton showed new ways of connecting.

Rare Winter Storm Sweeps Across the South, Dumping Ice and Snow

The storm was sweeping across a wide swath of the South on Friday. Atlanta’s airport halted all flights after a plane was evacuated onto a snowy runway.

Anita Bryant, Whose Anti-Gay Politics Undid a Singing Career, Is Dead at 84

The former beauty queen and spokeswoman for Florida orange juice was an all-American entertainer before she began crusading against L.G.B.T.Q. rights.

Kremlin Confirms Readiness for Putin to Meet Trump

The president-elect had said Russia’s leader wanted to meet him to discuss the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin said it welcomed such dialogue, but a meeting could occur only after Mr. Trump took office.

Federal Grand Jury Has Heard More Evidence in Case Against Mayor Adams

Prosecutors have presented additional evidence to a grand jury in the case against Eric Adams, his lawyer said in court papers, a sign new charges may be near.

Late Night Is Impressed by the V.I.P. List at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral

Desi Lydic said it was rare to see five American presidents in one place, “and even rarer to have Donald and Melania in the same room together.”

As a Climate Scientist, I Knew It Was Time to Leave Los Angeles

After the Bobcat Fire, L.A. no longer felt safe.

A Big Idea to Solve America’s Immigration Mess

Fixing America’s broken immigration system starts with acknowledging that the United States needs more people.

Constellation Energy to Buy Power Producer Calpine

Constellation Energy’s deal to buy Calpine is being driven by fast-rising demand for electricity in part by the technology industry’s investments in artificial intelligence.

Venezuela’s Autocrat Detains U.S. Citizens As He Tightens Grip on Power

President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for another six years on Friday, after claiming to win an election in July that many inside and outside Venezuela say he lost decisively.

Prosecutors Seek 15-Year Sentence for Menendez’s Bribery Conviction

Lawyers for New Jersey’s former Democratic senator, Robert Menendez, have said that even fewer years would be tantamount to a death sentence.

Firefighters Battle Large Blaze at Bronx Apartment Building

Over 200 firefighters and emergency medical workers responded to the fire early Friday. Seven people have been injured and many residents displaced.

Lebanon Turns a Political Page as Hezbollah’s Hold Is Weakened

A stinging defeat in war has left the once untouchable group on its most uncertain footing in years.