2+ min ago (457+ words) A half-century after the death of Francisco Franco, Spain finds itself grappling with a resurgence of support for the dictator'particularly among younger conservatives. The New York Times explores the issue, framing it with a succinct snapshot of Franco's often brutal reign from 1939 to 1975, a stretch in which... Franco Is 'Punk' in Spain, and Historians Are Worried A half-century after the death of Francisco Franco, Spain finds itself grappling with a resurgence of support for the dictator'particularly among younger conservatives. The New York Times explores the issue, framing it with a succinct snapshot of Franco's often brutal reign from 1939 to 1975, a stretch in which "he suppressed free speech, imprisoned dissidents and repressed the country's linguistic and cultural minorities'while pleasing his supporters by improving infrastructure and the economy." That last part may help explain a surprising result in a new national survey:…...

22+ min ago (251+ words) It's one of the stranger findings in a while when it comes to cats: Researchers suggest they may have to meow more if a man takes care of them instead of a woman. As the New York Times reports, their theory is that cats have essentially realized that guys aren't... Cats May Meow More for Men It's one of the stranger findings in a while when it comes to cats: Researchers suggest they may have to meow more if a man takes care of them instead of a woman. As the New York Times reports, their theory is that cats have essentially realized that guys aren't great listeners. Or as the study in the journal Ethology puts it in science-speak: Men "require more explicit vocalizations to notice and respond to the needs of their cats." For the experiment out of…...

59+ min ago (266+ words) US and Ukrainian officials completed roughly four hours of talks in Florida on Sunday aimed at finding an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine. Reaching an agreement will take longer, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters afterward, the AP reports. "It's not just about the terms that... Rubio: US-Ukraine Talks Are Productive but Incomplete Rubio, presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, represented the American side in the talks, which took place days before Witkoff is to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Ukraine sent a new chief negotiator, security council secretary Rustem Umerov, per Reuters. The previous top representative, Andriy Yermak, resigned Friday as President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff during an anti-corruption investigation. The delegations met at the Shell Bay Club, a golf and racket club developed by Witkoff in…...

1+ hour, 52+ min ago (278+ words) Melania Trump is stepping into the entertainment industry with the launch of her own production company, Muse Films. The first lady announced the venture on social media, unveiling the company's logo in a brief video. Muse Films' first project will be a documentary titled Melania , scheduled for release in theaters... Melania Trump Says She Has a Film Company Melania Trump is stepping into the entertainment industry with the launch of her own production company, Muse Films. The first lady announced the venture on social media, unveiling the company's logo in a brief video. Muse Films' first project will be a documentary titled Melania, scheduled for release in theaters on Jan. 30 and later on Amazon's Prime Video, USA Today reports. It "offers unprecedented access to the 20 days leading up to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration'through the eyes of the First Lady-elect herself," Amazon…...

2+ hour, 57+ min ago (314+ words) Zootopia 2 had a roaring, record-setting opening at the box office. The animal city sequel from the Walt Disney Company brought in $96 million in North America over the weekend, earned $156 million over the five-day Thanksgiving stretch and scored a staggering $556 million globally since its Wednesday opening, according... Zootopia 2 Has Record Opening Zootopia 2 had a roaring, record-setting opening at the box office. The animal city sequel from the Walt Disney Company brought in $96 million in North America over the weekend, earned $156 million over the five-day Thanksgiving stretch and scored a staggering $556 million globally since its Wednesday opening, according to studio estimates Sunday. That made it the highest international opening ever for an animated movie, the fourth-highest global debut of any kind, and the top international opener of 2025, the AP reports. Wicked: For Good stayed aloft in its second weekend for Universal Pictures,…...

3+ hour, 22+ min ago (328+ words) Irish writer and poet Jessica Traynor is worried about her native land. In a piece for the Dial , Traynor recounts visiting Dublin Port as a teenager in 2001 and seeing cranes at work transforming the once-gritty docks into what are now known as Silicon Docks'where Google, Meta, and Apple... Ireland May Be 'Sleepwalking' Into Big Tech Trouble Irish writer and poet Jessica Traynor is worried about her native land. In a piece for the Dial, Traynor recounts visiting Dublin Port as a teenager in 2001 and seeing cranes at work transforming the once-gritty docks into what are now known as Silicon Docks'where Google, Meta, and Apple would build their European strongholds. She recounts how Ireland became a tech colony for US giants thanks to rock-bottom corporate tax rates and giant tax loopholes. And where do things stand today? "While their contribution to…...

3+ hour, 47+ min ago (750+ words) The Food and Drug Administration plans a more skeptical approach to vaccine approval, prompted by an internal memo that claims without providing evidence that at least 10 children died "after and because of receiving" a COVID shot. The memo, written by Dr. Vinay Prasad, head of the FDA's vaccine division,... FDA Plans Changes, Tying Child Deaths to COVID Shot The Food and Drug Administration plans a more skeptical approach to vaccine approval, prompted by an internal memo that claims without providing evidence that at least 10 children died "after and because of receiving" a COVID shot. The memo, written by Dr. Vinay Prasad, head of the FDA's vaccine division, and obtained by NBC News, cites an internal review of deaths reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System between 2021 and 2024. Prasad asserts the real number could be higher and accuses the agency…...

4+ hour, 57+ min ago (372+ words) Thousands of people on Sunday joined protest marches in Croatia against a surging far right following a spate of incidents that have fueled both ethnic and political tensions in the European Union country. Gatherings dubbed "United against fascism" were organized in four major cities, including the capital, Zagreb. The crowd... Thousands Protest Far Right, Use of Pro-Fascist Symbols Thousands of people on Sunday joined protest marches in Croatia against a surging far right following a spate of incidents that have fueled both ethnic and political tensions in the European Union country. Gatherings dubbed "United against fascism" were organized in four major cities, including the capital, Zagreb. The crowd chanted "We are all antifascists!" as they pledged to counter what they described as an attempt by right-wing groups to spread fear and silence opponents, the AP reports. Protesters demanded that the…...

6+ hour, 5+ min ago (656+ words) A long-lost painting by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, which was hidden for more than four centuries, sold for $2.7 million at an auction Sunday in Versailles. The painting, which depicts the crucifixion of Jesus, was recently found in a private townhouse in Paris. It was part of a... Rubens' Crucifixion Depiction, Lost for Centuries, Brings $2.7M A long-lost painting by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, which was hidden for more than four centuries, sold for $2.7 million at an auction Sunday in Versailles. The painting, which depicts the crucifixion of Jesus, was recently found in a private townhouse in Paris. It was part of a French collection and was initially thought to be from one of the many Rubens workshops that existed at the time. The artwork was rarely valued at more than $11,500, the AP reports. "I immediately had a hunch about this…...

6+ hour, 25+ min ago (210+ words) The painting was recently found in a private townhouse in Paris. It depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It was part of a French collection and was initially thought to be from one of the many Rubens workshops that existed at the time. The artwork was rarely valued at more than 10,000 euros ($11,500). Nils B'ttner, an expert known for his research on Rubens, explained before the auction that the master often painted crucifictions but rarely depicted "the crucified Christ as a dead body on the cross." "So this is the one and only painting showing blood and water coming out of the side wound of Christ, and this is something that Rubens only painted once." The Osenat auction house said the painting's authenticity and provenance were confirmed after scientific analysis. It said microscopic examination of the paint layers revealed not only…...